The Scientology cult loudly boasts that after 9/11, its "Volunteer Ministers" were awarded the Fire Department of New York's highest honor, the "Medal of Valor." This is not only a lie, but an insult to the memory of all the brave firefighters who died in the line of duty and were awarded this Medal posthumously. Dozens of Scientology web site and blogs brazenly make this claim, in a continuing effort to legitimize their cult. Scientology's "Volunteer Ministers," or more accurately, "Vulture Ministers," are a special corps of opportunists who, presenting themselves as mental health counselors, flock to the scene of major tragedies, natural disasters, school shootings, etc., in order to prevent and obstruct legitimate mental health professionals from reaching victims and others who may have been affected. In the days after September 11, Vulture Ministers were ordered to converge on the ruins of the World Trade Center not only to "block the psychs," but to administer "touch assists," a rather creepy, inappropriate and completely useless sort of light massage, accompanied by the recitation of Scientology jargon.
In the weeks that followed 9/11, when concerns were raised about the effect on rescue workers of Ground Zero's toxic air quality, the Vulture Ministers steered firefighters to a Scientology-owned business franchise called Narconon. This company uses a variety of simplistic and ineffective approaches to "detoxify" people, mostly drug addicts, with the goal of making them into Scientologists. The Vulture Ministers and Narconon took this opportunity to recruit New York firefighters into the cult by offering them free treatments at Narconon facilities. According to the Associated Press, more than 140 firefighters took them up on this. Three years later in 2004, on the occasion of the Scientology cult opening a new headquarters in New York City, a prominent Scientologist named Stephan Hittmann made the following "proclamation":
"In recognition of the humanitarian efforts of the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, and the help they provided to members of the Fire Department of the City of New York, in keeping with the principles developed by L. Ron Hubbard; and "WHEREAS: FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM recognize this unwavering commitment to firefighters, to paramedics, to other rescue workers, in keeping with our proudest traditions; and be it known, "THEREFORE: That FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM officially recognize this dedicated service to the citizens of the City of New York, and hereby bestow upon L. Ron Hubbard and the Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology, the FDNY and the 911 PROGRAM's Medal of Valor and 9–11 Service Award — on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the New York Church of Scientology."
Not only is it preposterous that the Vulture Ministers would be honored in this way, and not the many agencies and organizations that actually helped people, but Hittmannn was not authorized to make such an award, or even any award, on behalf of the Fire Department of New York. He had been fired, several months earlier, from a civilian administrative job with FDNY. Yet Hittmann was claiming to be an "Honorary Commissioner" of the Fire Department. This was an outrageous lie, of course, but the Scientology big-shots in attendance thought it was perfectly all right to say.
Who, you may ask, is Stephan Hittmann? He is a guy who grew up in Brooklyn, went to college and became the manager of the Division of Special Education for the New York City Board of Education. He had that job for a long time. Evidence shows that he worked in that office from at least as early as 1984 until 1998, and possibly later. At some point between 1998 and 2001 Hittmann took a job with the FDNY, managing the Department's program for helping firefighters to take online courses with various colleges across the country. This educational division is called the "Office of Fire and Life Safety," which sound rather more exciting than it actually is. Hittmann would work out arrangements with these colleges so that the firemen could take courses that were relevant to their professional interests, or pursue college degrees. It was a nice, safe, civilian desk job, with very little adventure or heroics involved. Hittmann wore no uniform; he didn't go to fires; he was just a guy who worked in the office.
Then came the attack on the Twin Towers. New York firefighters lost 343 of their colleagues on that horrible day. Within a year, Stephan Hittmann could be found wearing a richly be-medaled FDNY uniform delivering speeches to hotel-owner associations, public policy groups, and anyone who would pay his fee, on "lessons learned" from 9/11. Hittmann marketed himself as an emergency services expert, founder of the "911 Program Fund," who had "helped to rebuild the morale of the FDNY." For the next two years Hittmann trotted around the USA doing this. In May 2004 Hittmann was fired from his $134,000/year position. It is not clear how he had managed to keep his job for that long, but when firefighters learned of his extracurricular activities, they were not amused. Here is an account from New York's Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA):"After the events of 09/11/01, this former civilian employee of the Fire Department has masqueraded in the uniform of the FDNY. He was so bold as to wear the insignia of the Chief of Department and numerous decorations for valor. Conduct of this nature is absolutely offensive to the members of the FDNY and cannot be tolerated. During several speaking engagements in which he participated, he characterized his career in the FDNY as being a leader who helped rebuild the FDNY after 09/11/01. The facts could not be further from the truth. When we learned of his activities, the UFOA was able to provide information to a company that was in the process of hiring him for a management position and others contracting with him for future lectures. Needless to say, job offers and his ability to lecture have stopped. This past week there have been several newspaper articles that criticized his fund raising and the use of the FDNY uniform. The Department has also notified DOI and provided documentation regarding Mr. Hittmann's activities."
After the UFOA blew the whistle on him and his speaking gigs started drying up, Hittmann took his act to Latin America, where he gave talks and collected donations from audiences in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and other countries, until the director of Peru's firefighter training organization started spreading the word in 2006 that Hittmann had no idea what he was talking about and that he was a fraud. "Stay far away from Hittmann," went the warning.
Unfortunately, many fire departments did not get the message. Incredibly, Hittmann is carrying on his act to this day. There's a twist to it now; he gets USA fire departments to donate their old equipment, as well as transportation costs, to ship the old equipment to the fire department of Garin, Argentina, a suburb of Buenos Aires. He also brings with him a group of real emergency services personnel, who teach workshops on firefighting techniques. This in itself is not a bad thing; or it wouldn't be, if Hittmann represented himself as just some guy, and not an FDNY bigshot.
But Hittmann's masquerade party is not the only reason that the Medal of Valor couldn't possibly have been given to Scientology's Vulture Ministers. According to the Fire Department,
The Fire Department Medal of Valor was first issued by the FDNY in 1911 and is engraved with the City seal. Shortly after World War II, the Department began issuing this medal to the next of kin of members who had died in the line-of-duty. Since 1960, the medal has been awarded posthumously and exclusively for line of duty death.
The medal has been awarded POSTHUMOUSLY and EXCLUSIVELY for line of duty death.
Scientology leaders were well aware that Stephan Hittmann was absolutely not authorized to award the New York City Fire Department's Medal of Valor. Well before the "Medal of Valor" incident, Hittmann was such a top Scientologist that he was invited to glamorous Scientology parties in Hollywood, where he was photographed in a tuxedo chatting with Scientologist TV and movie celebrities. Do ordinary Scientologists sip champagne and schmooze with the stars like this?
Why does Scientology continue to brag at every possible opportunity that the Fire Department of New York awarded them this Medal? dozens of their web sites brag about this in one way or another. Oh, the Volunteer Ministers were so darn heroic. Everyone else just did OK, but Scientology wins the prize. Why won't they stop this insulting nonsense? Will they ever apologize to the Fire Department, and take down the offensive boasting from their countless web sites?"
Unfortunately, many fire departments did not get the message. Incredibly, Hittmann is carrying on his act to this day. There's a twist to it now; he gets USA fire departments to donate their old equipment, as well as transportation costs, to ship the old equipment to the fire department of Garin, Argentina, a suburb of Buenos Aires. He also brings with him a group of real emergency services personnel, who teach workshops on firefighting techniques. This in itself is not a bad thing; or it wouldn't be, if Hittmann represented himself as just some guy, and not an FDNY bigshot.
But Hittmann's masquerade party is not the only reason that the Medal of Valor couldn't possibly have been given to Scientology's Vulture Ministers. According to the Fire Department,
The Fire Department Medal of Valor was first issued by the FDNY in 1911 and is engraved with the City seal. Shortly after World War II, the Department began issuing this medal to the next of kin of members who had died in the line-of-duty. Since 1960, the medal has been awarded posthumously and exclusively for line of duty death.
The medal has been awarded POSTHUMOUSLY and EXCLUSIVELY for line of duty death.
Scientology leaders were well aware that Stephan Hittmann was absolutely not authorized to award the New York City Fire Department's Medal of Valor. Well before the "Medal of Valor" incident, Hittmann was such a top Scientologist that he was invited to glamorous Scientology parties in Hollywood, where he was photographed in a tuxedo chatting with Scientologist TV and movie celebrities. Do ordinary Scientologists sip champagne and schmooze with the stars like this?
Why does Scientology continue to brag at every possible opportunity that the Fire Department of New York awarded them this Medal? dozens of their web sites brag about this in one way or another. Oh, the Volunteer Ministers were so darn heroic. Everyone else just did OK, but Scientology wins the prize. Why won't they stop this insulting nonsense? Will they ever apologize to the Fire Department, and take down the offensive boasting from their countless web sites?"
Not unless they are forced to do so. Someone should force them.
THE PICTURES BELOW ARE IMPORTANT FOR VERIFYING THE CLAIMS IN THIS ARTICLE, AND THEY DO INDEED VERIFY THEM! IMPORTANT LINKS AND A CHRONOLOGY OF HITTMANN CONTINUE BELOW THE PICTURES.
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See Also:
- Scientology at Ground Zero
- Uniformed Fire Officers Association
- Firefighters seek treatment recommended by Scientologist - October 4, 2003
- Las experiencias de Stephan Hittmann, ex Jefe de Bomberos de Nueva York
- Firehouse.com Article: Former Civilian FDNY Official Raised Money for a Questionable 9/11 Charity
- EL ESCÁNDALO HITTMANN: Muestra de como se fabrica el exito aparente de Cienciologia
- DESASTRES.org - Stephan Hittmann Sería Fraude
- DESASTRES.org - Caso Hittmann: Lamentan Candidez de Organizaciones de Bomberos
- DESASTRES.org - “Desastres.org” Emite Advertencia por Stephan Hittmann
- DESASTRES.org - Hittmann el Cienciólogo
- DESASTRES.org - José Musse Llamó a Jefes de Bomberos por Caso Hittmann
- DESASTRES.org - Hittmann Buscó Dinero en Hoteles
- DESASTRES.org - Revelan Detalles de Como Inició Investigación de Caso Hittmann
- DESASTRES.org - “Hittmann Es Falso Profeta”
- DESASTRES.org - Nadie Renuncia por Caso Hittmann
- DESASTRES.org - Bomberos y Cienciología
- BOMBEROS DE GARIN RECIBIERON IMPORTANTE DONACIÓN DE LA FUNDACIÓN 911
- El Nacional, la voz de todos
- Island firefighter in training mission to Argentina - Isle of Man Government
- Dos nuevos mviles de los bomberos voluntarios de Garin - Bomberos de Argentina /// Bomberos - Informacion para Bomberos, Rescatistas, Paramedicos y tecnicos en seguridad - NdB
- Primer curso internacional en bomberos Vol. de Garin - Bomberos de Argentina /// Bomberos - Informacion para Bomberos, Rescatistas, Paramedicos y tecnicos en seguridad - NdB
- Hittman and gang in Garin, 19 August 2008
- Lots of information about the Scientology cult and criminal racket
- Help us stop the Scientology cult and criminal racket
CHRONOLOGY OF STEPHAN Hittmann
- ~1945-50, born in Brooklyn. Two brothers. His father kind of a local legend for creating a summer camp for poor city kids.
- ~1978, PhD in Education from Columbia University. Presented a paper at a conference on the topic of special needs children in the People's Republic of China.
- ~1979, One brother also gets doctorate in History around that time; he is currently a professor in midwestern USA, specializing in Native American/USA West history.
- It is not known when Hittmann became a Scilon.
- By 1984, Hittmann is Director of Purchasing and Contracting in the Division of Special Education, NYC Board of Education. His office is in Brooklyn.
- In 1996, that is still his job.
- 1n 1998, he was Assistant Superintendent of Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens.
- Sometime after 1998, Hittmann became manager of the NY Fire Department's Office of Fire and Life Safety, which is ONLY about helping firefighters to get college degrees through distance learning courses, so they can advance in their FDNY careers.
- On 11 Sept 2001, Hittmann undoubtedly was affected and undoubtedly lost friends.
- There are some other Scientologists, including a Lieutenant, in FDNY.
- Unknown whether Hittmann had any involvement with the Vulture Ministers appearing on the scene.
- Hittmann seems to have facilitated the Narconon infiltration, in which over 140 firemen started going to Narconon for phony sweat treatments.
- By early 2002, Hittmann is already using his fancy and important-sounding job title -- "Director of Fire and Life Safety" -- to give talks and get gigs on Beverly Hills conference panels, having "devoted his entire career to urban, national and international service."
- In September 2002, a Spanish-language web site, desastres.org, based in Peru, and oriented to firefighters of Latin America, begins to receive reports about Hittmann. He has been to Argentina, giving talks, greeted as a hero, etc. Desastres.org tries to research him, but none of their FDNY contacts have ever heard of Hittmann. Desastres.org is concerned, but at that point can only begin to keep a file about Hittmann's activities.
- August 2003, Hittmann photographed in tuxedo with Jenna Elfman and other top Scilons at a Hollywood extravaganza
- In October 2003, news reports about the firemen and Narconon quote Hittmann as saying "It seems to be the real deal," as though it were new to him. The article says "Hittmann, who has no connection to the Church of Scientology..." This article gives his correct job title.
- Early 2004, Hittmann begins his phony "9/11 Foundation" and begins marketing himself to fire departments, think-tanks, hotel-owner associations, and communities around the USA and Latin America. People pay $$$$$ to hear him talk solemnly about "lessons learned" from 9/11 in regard to firefighter procedure and safety measures. He wears a FDNY Chief's uniform, various medals etc.
- May 2004, Hittmann is forced to resign from FDNY. In addition to his extracurricular shenanigans, he has been telling the firefighters that certain non-accredited "diploma mills" are legitimate.
- September 2004, Hittmann as "Honorary Commissioner" of FDNY, presents the NYC church of Scientology with a (phony) FDNY "Medal of Valor," which in real life is only ever granted posthumously to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
- April 2005, New York Post publishes an article revealing that "a former civilian FDNY official raised money for a questionable 9/11 charity with a smokescreen of lies and phony props, including a fake link to former mayor Rudy Giuliani, a bogus uniform and fraudulent valor medals." Nothing happens. No mention of Scientology.
- October 2006, Hittmann is still giving talks in the USA, Argentina, Spain, Dominican Republic, and other places.
- October 2006, desastres.org announces that it is beginning an investigation of a former FDNY official, involving financial irregularities and charitable donations, and also seems to involve firefighters in Spain and Latin America.
- November-December 2006, desastres.org publishes a hard-hitting series of articles about Hittmann's fraud and his extremely close links to Scientology. Separately, the editors send personal warnings to fire departments all over Latin America: "Stay far away from Hittmann." The messages apparently don't reach everyone.
- March 2007, Hittmann has a new angle: In addition to giving his talks, he somehow has managed to donate a fire truck to the volunteer firemen of Garin, Argentina. Dennis Haas, Chief of Copperas Cove, Texas goes with him.
- 2007-2008, more Hittmann tours of Latin America and Europe.
- July 2008, Indybay article
- August 2008 (Enturbulation), FDNY sorry to say that no police agencies interested in going after Hittmann
- August 2008, Hittmann still going. Brings Tony Varley, firefighter from Isle of Man (UK) to give a workshop.
- August 2008, Hittmann gives 2 more firetrucks to Garin, Argentina. He also brings several USA and UK firefighters to teach workshops about firefighting practices. Garin makes him "Honorary President" of their crew. Accompanying Hittmannn to Garin are the following:
- Dennis Haas, Chief, Copperas Cove, Texas
- Scott Holmquist, Captain, Los Angeles
- Elena Mattos, Los Angeles
- Guillermo Rios, NYPD
- Nuna Roberto, Captain, Jersey City? New Jersey
- Jose Berrios, New Jersey
- Tony Bali, UK [Tony Varley]
- Santiago Raynald, New Jersey
- Jeffrey Gaskin, "South Side," New York
- Griselda Bernal, translator and 9/11 Foundation employee
- Kwame Cooper, Captain, Los Angeles
- Gascie Sean (Sean Gascie?), Captain, Los Angeles
It is not know at this point whether any of the above are Scilons.
- October, 2008, Hittmann speaks at an international firefighters' conference in Bogota, Colombia. Presents a PowerPoint presentation with more than 200 slides of the WTC attack and aftermath, including at least a dozen pictures of people falling, some very zoomed-in. (The PowerPoint was formerly available on the conference site.) Purpose of all this? To greatly increase emotional response, so people would donate money (most of "sales" is based on manipulating emotion).
- April 2009: Hittmann has the GALL to make a web site for his little operation, and make a fake bio claiming "35 years of FDNY and public service"!












