On Sept. 11, 2001, Arlington County firefighter Lt. Justin Scott, 30, was among the first to arrive at the Pentagon to battle the flames after an American Airlines airplane crashed into the building. At the time he was just a rookie in his fourth month on the force, and since then he’s risen through the ranks. Today, he trains cadets at the county’s academy.
A plane had just crashed into the Pentagon and it was in flames, you arrived soon after?
My crew was the first to pull a hose into the building that day. We had to approach it like you would any fire. It was a unique experience, to be a rookie and have that as the first big fire of your career. It leaves you wondering what else can happen. Anything out there can happen and I am living out that mystery.
How did you become interested in fighting fires?
I wasn’t one of those kids who dreamed of being a firefighter. … I was a military brat. My father was a Marine. It was his job to protect the country and I feel this is my way of giving back to the country. I liked helping people and got started on this path as a lifeguard.
You have just been given the opportunity to teach a full academy class. What do you bring to the table that might be different from other teachers?
When I teach I try to get recruits motivated by showing them how this job is awesome. I try to make it as hands-on as possible. The other part is that I try not to be too paramilitary. There is a military structure, and officers must get more respect, but I also try to keep it relaxed. I was promoted to lieutenant a year ago and I’ve noticed I do get more respect now when I walk into a classroom.
What brought you to Arlington?
After college, when I knew I wanted to be a firefighter, I cast a net across the country looking for positions in urban areas. Arlington was one of the first to respond and it had the right mix of urban life I wanted. – Freeman Klopott
