The anniversary of the attacks of September 11th has arrived again. Frankly, it’s quite an emotional strain. I was there and did my part like many, many others, but this column isn’t about me. It’s about the people who I worked with in the years that lead up to 9/11. It also illustrates the gigantic web of relationships that each of us has in our life, both professional and personal.
On the morning of 9/11, I had almost 22 years with FDNY and had worked in seven units scattered throughout the city. This was the result of either transferring or being promoted. In each of the companies that I worked, a unique collection of people made up an atmosphere that’s quite memorable and wonderful to think about.
Engine 34 & Truck 11
Engine 34 is where I started. As thrilled as I was to be “on the job,” I was greatly disappointed with the level of activity there. However, separate from the activity were the people there. Many of the senior members worked in busier units for years and were at E-34 for the last few years of their career. Many of the younger members eventually transferred out to more active units, as I did. Nevertheless, I remember a positive and professional attitude. Many of the members would reappear in my career years later in other areas of the city, and several were lost on 9/11.
I transferred to Truck 11 one year later and discovered “the job.” There were lots of fires, shootings and vacant buildings—and the funniest and most skilled group of firefighters. I could list just about every person and tell great tales, but instead I will talk about just a few.
Billy McGinn, who was killed on 9/11, became a great friend, and we eventually worked in three companies together. Richie Barto, the truck chauffeur and senior man in my groups, taught me more than I can list and had a tremendous impact on my career. Marty Monaghan, who would become one of my closest friends, always was thinking. I tried as best as I could to be just like him. We still talk on the phone.
Rescue 3 & Squad 1
I transferred again, this time to Rescue 3 uptown. Again, I worked with two “groups” of people: the senior members, some of whom were 55–60 years old, and the younger people, who were my age. Lots of fires and specialized training and more great people who could do anything. Jay Jonas (who survived 9/11 as a captain of Ladder 6), Nick Giordano, John Norman, Ray Phillips (who died of a post-9/11 illness) and Lt. Pete Lund, who later died in the line of duty.
I was promoted to lieutenant out of R-3 and took an assignment in Tower Ladder 18. I only stayed a short time; I was asked to work in the newly created special operations command. I worked with people in TL-18 years who I worked with earlier in T-11. (TL-18 was assigned to the World Trade Center early on September 11.)
Eventually, I was assigned to Squad 1 as a lieutenant, and, again, I discovered a hugely talented group of people that sought more fires and activity and found it in “the” Squad. Back with McGinn and others, including Mike Russo, John McAvoy, Timmy Rogers, Kevin O’Rourke and Kenny Pogan, I enjoyed some of the best times on the job.
I was the captain of Engine 48 and a battalion chief in Battalion 18 in the Bronx, where I spent almost 20 years, most of which were post-9/11.
Remembering them alive
The companies and the firefighters I mention all were tremendously important to my career and that of many others. The sad postscript: On that September morning in 2001, all of the on-duty members of L-11, R-3 and Sq-1 were killed at the WTC.
We remember them and all of the others on that day, but I like to remember the days that we all spent together. The days when they were funny, when we were having fun, fighting fires and living the dream in FDNY.
