Firehouse Magazine Reports
WTC: This Is Their Story
Firehouse Magazine presents the extraordinary stories of the FDNY firefighters at Ground Zero
FF Peter Blaich - Ladder 123
I came in for the day tour, so I got there about 8 o’clock and relieved the guy on the backup on the engine.
FF John Breen - Engine 74
I came in for the day tour. Heard the dispatch over the voice alarm.
Lieut. Ray Brown - Ladder 113
I worked the night before, and I was supposed to work overtime in Ladder 111 and there was an officer coming here.
FF Mike Cancel - Ladder 10
Ladder 10/Engine 10 are located on the south side of Liberty Street across from Tower 2.
FF Tom Caruso - Ladder 48
I was on a 90-day detail to Engine 3. I was at 7th Avenue and Grove Street.
FF Marcel Claes - Engine 24
Civilians were helping each other out as we walked up the stairs in the north tower.
Lt. Gregg Hansson - Engine 24
The alarm came in and we rode out with one extra firefighter.
D/C Peter Hayden - Division 1
I was continuing on. I worked the night before. I was in my office when I heard a plane coming in low.
FF D Dowdican - Ladder 113
I was finishing the night tour. I rode in the cab as an extra man.
FF Heinz Kothe - Tower Ladder 12
I came in for the day tour at 7:30 A.M. I relieved the chauffeur from the night tour.
FF Adam Mazy - Tower Ladder 79
I worked the night tour. I was scheduled for overtime in Engine 34 on the day tour.
FF Steve Modica - Special Operations Command
I was working as the SOC battalion aide. Chief John Pailillo and I were going to Squad 252 for a drill.
B/C John Norman - Special Operations Command
I was home in bed and the battalion called and said, I know you’re on vacation, but there’s a total recall because of what happened to the Trade Center.
B/C J Pfiefer - Battalion 1
I was with Engine 7, Ladder 1, Ladder 8 and another engine. It was a gas leak in the street, it was Church Street and Lispenard.
B/C M Telesca - Battalion 19
Battalion Chief Larry Stack and Brian O’Flaherty were working the Father’s Day investigation.
Rescue Lts - Rescue 1, Squad 252
We heard Marine 6 give an urgent message that a second plane hit the tower. We responded to Squad 41 to get gear.
Lieut. Bill Wall - Engine 47
We were additional units on the fifth alarm for the south tower. We went right down.
D/C Nick Visconti - Division 14
I was in my car. I was listening to the traffic reports because I was going to Queens.
B/C Tom Vallebuona - Battalion 21
We had just had a run. It was a beautiful day and one of the guys came walking down the stairs and said...
Capt. Chris Boyle - Engine 94
I got here probably about a quarter after 10. Everybody was starting to roll in.
FF Mike Fenick - Ladder 48
It’s not a happy feeling. It’s a rewarding feeling. I know it’s a hard emotion to put a finger on.
FF Declan Grant - Ladder 48
Good is not the right word. It was rewarding. At least I wasn’t there in vain.
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