Port Authority Police Department overalls, World Trade Center : Captain D Bergman, Australian Army

Places
Accession Number REL36541
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton, Nylon, Polyester
Maker Unknown
Place made Honduras
Date made c 2001
Conflict Period 2000-2009
Description

Extra large polyester cotton dark blue overalls. The front is secured by two press studs and a brass zipper. There are two patch pockets on the left and right of the chest that close with brass zippers, and two slit pockets at the hips. Each pocket is lined in white fabric. There is a band of the same white fabric around the inner waist for the provision of a draw string. Each upper sleeve bears a shield shaped Port Authority Police department patch. In the centre of the patch is a variation of the New Jersey coat of arms in yellow cotton on a light blue background; around it is a border of dark blue cotton with the text 'PORT AUTHORITY POLICE NEW YORK NEW JERSEY' in white cotton; there is a thin edge of yellow cotton on either side of the dark blue border. The back of the overalls has a large dark blue patch with text 'PAPD' in white cotton. The lining facing of the overalls is in red quilted nylon with a polyester lining. Inside each sleeves is a grey elasticised cuff. There are two patch pockets on the rear of the overalls. Press studs at the bottom of each trouser leg to allow for the tightening of the hem. A label sewn in the back of the overalls gives production and care information.

History / Summary

Overalls issued to Captain David Bergman, while working at the World Trade Center site in 2001. In late 2001 Bergman was studying Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons and hazards in the United States.

Along with four other Australian officers, he was seconded to the New York Police Department (NYPD) from 2 to 25 November 2001 to assist with anthrax / white powder attacks that were occurring in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. He was deployed as part of the NYPD Hazardous (HAMMER) teams operating across New York City. They would be called out to incidents to investigate and decontaminate areas if required. During November Captain Bergman attended over 30 incidents.

After working with HAMMER, he was then seconded to the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD). He worked four night shifts as part of the PAPD recovery team at Ground Zero at the World Trade Center, New York. He also visited Staten Island human remains recovery site, where all recovered material was taken for sifting, and the morgue where he went through identification techniques used to identify people.