BCVFD Remembers Captain Robert Nussberger

By Dan Guarino

With officers and firefighters in crisp dress uniforms and community members in attendance, on Saturday, September 21, the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) dedicated a plaque to the service and memory of BCVFD Captain Robert Nussberger. Nussberger, who served the department for over three decades, died on May 7 of 9/11 related illnesses.

As one of his fellow officers said, his plaque, now affixed to the “Vollies” 1908-built firehouse on Noel Road, will be a part of every Broad Channel firehouse going into the future and displayed with honor “for as long as there is a Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department.”

The event was presided over by Deputy Chief Ed Wilmarth III, flanked by St. Virgilius Church’s Deacon Michael Pearce, BCVFD President Daniel McIntyre, Chief of Department George Conklin, Assistant Chief Michael Delgado, Ex-Chief Timothy Keenan and Chief Engineer Ed Wilmarth Jr. Among those in attendance were Nussberger’s wife Pat and their sons, Robert, Alan and Frankie.

The dedication opened with an honor guard presentation of the flag and an opening prayer led by Deacon Pearce. Wilmarth spoke of Nussberger’s early life and career, and his acceptance in the BCVFD in 1990. “Bob worked extremely hard and was intensely dedicated,” earning a succession of promotions and awards. “All of this was accomplished by Bob’s passion for serving,” Wilmarth said.

Wilmarth went on to describe the harrowing day in 2001 when the Twin Towers were attacked. When called to service he, Nussberger, then 59, and fellow Vollies Christopher “Bubba” Kalisak and Fred Grey sped as an EMS unit towards lower Manhattan, “responding just 14 mins after the first planes impact of Tower 1 and one minute after the second plane had struck Tower 2.” He recalled, “It was 09:59hrs and Tower 2 collapsed directly on top of us,” crushing their ambulance, and throwing Nussberger down the street and under an SUV. He suffered injuries to his shoulder and broken bones in both feet from the blast and falling debris.

Though his days as a firefighter were over, he continued to serve the BCVFD and “spent many years volunteering at the 9/11 tribute museum, often giving speaking tours of his experience at Ground Zero. Unfortunately, a few short years later, Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a common form of cancer among 9/11 responders due to the toxins we inhaled and ingested,” which later claimed his life.

Ex-Chief Timothy Keenan gave a very moving and emotional speech, having known Captain Nussberger for over 35 years. Afterward Ex-Lieutenant Bill Louw, family, community members and others shared memories and stories of the kind of man he was. One neighbor, pointing to his adult son, recalled the day he was born. Though he and his wife did not make it to the hospital, Nussberger, responding to the call, delivered the boy right then and there. He also saved the life of another family member, staunching the bleeding after a life-threatening cut. The neighbor reflected on how this changed their lives and shaped their own dedication to service.

Firefighter Leonard Cannella then presented an encased American flag to Nussberger’s wife, the BCVFD noted “on behalf of our department, our city, our state and our nation for Bob’s sacrifice.” Afterward Ex-Lieutenant Christopher Kalisak escorted the family to the plaque, on the left side of the firehouse entrance, where they were given the honor of pulling away the small purple cloth to unveil it. It reads, in part, “Dedicated to the memory of Captain Robert Nussberger who died in the line of duty from illness contracted…on September 11, 2001.”

As the breeze ruffled the purple and black firehouse bunting and the sun shone bright on the Broad Channel streets still wet with the high tide, Deacon Pearce closed the ceremony with a prayer. Afterwards all were invited to gather inside the firehouse for refreshments. As Deputy Chief Wilmarth said earlier, “Do we selfishly wish he lived longer, of course we do. But all in all, Bob would be the first to tell you, that he had a good run. That he enjoyed his life, his family, his time as a volunteer firefighter, and the sounds of the “sireen” as he always pronounced it, through all the ups and downs. And what more can you ask for?”

Photos by Dan Guarino