Two Marin County firefighters found themselves close to chaos when a deadly truck attack rocked New Orleans on New Year's Day. John Bagala and Dan Peters, both members of Marin Professional Firefighters, were in the city to attend a union conference and experienced the aftermath of the tragedy that left at least 14 people dead and nearly 30 injured. "Everybody was here to celebrate the new year," Bagala, president of Local 1755, said, as per Mercury News.
The attack interrupted the jubilance of New Year festivities, as Bagala recounted hearing sirens around 3 a.m. and mistakenly attributing them to a potential fire. Only hours later, he learned, through several phone messages checking on his well-being, the true severity of the situation. He found himself reflecting on the stark contrast between the city's celebratory spirit and the devastating act that had just occurred. "My biggest reflection is what an awful thing to do to a community and what an awful way to bring in the new year," he told Mercury News.
Authorities identified the driver as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas, who was killed in a gunfight with law enforcement officers, as New Orleans police reported. The attack was a deliberate act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group, according to Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division.
The first responders, thrust into the turmoil, faced the daunting task of aiding victims scattered across a large, crowded area and dealing with potential explosive devices. "The law enforcement response was incredible, the fire department response was incredible," Bagala said, emphasizing the challenging conditions they encountered. Several hotels near the French Quarter were evacuated after the attack, a significant feat given the early hours and the number of people involved. "Putting a lot of people out in the streets at 4 o'clock in the morning is no small undertaking," he remarked, as quoted by Mercury News.
The aftermath of the attack left a striking silence on Bourbon Street, a notable deviation from the usual vibrancy of the city. Bagala shared his observations with ABC7 News, saying, "It was dead quiet, you couldn't hear anything which is so unlike New Orleans, especially on a holiday weekend or during the holiday." The incident not only claimed lives and caused injuries but also deeply affected the local community and the spirit of the city, traditionally known for its lively celebrations. "This place was so joyful and excited to bring in the new year just everybody having fun. I mean this town was due to be completely packed this entire week and now the heart of the city has just been carved out," Bagala told ABC7 News.
