Becasue many of the men and women jumped into action immediately and started using their life saving expertise to prep people before emts could get there. They were reported as bein swift and instantly started ripping strips of cloth and binding people up.

It was reported the death toll could of been a lot higher if they hadn't.

So yes, they saved a lot of lives.

To the OP:

You have a valid point regarding the media portraying people as "heroes" or patting their command and subordinates on the back for preventing further death. I personally became sick at watching the politicians and military brass giving each other compliments and pointing repeating cliche phrases about being "army strong."

That said, I believe that anyone in that room or building did what they could. If I'm sitting in a crowded room preparing to go to combat, I probably have a lot going through my mind. Then all of a sudden gun fire erupts. I look around for my nearest exit, hopefully helping people get out along the way. I think it's a fairly instinctive response to flee a situation when you don't know really what is going on.

[edit on 6-11-2009 by ExPostFacto]