Remembering 9/11: The Firefighters' Stories

Sept. 9, 2022
FDNY members tell their stories of the days before, of and after the Sept. 11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of 343 firefighters.

As we approach the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, the following videos tell the stories of firefighter before, during and after the tragic day that claimed the lives of 343 firefighters.

FDNY: Still Riding - A documentary that was being recorded with FDNY Rescue 1 and Rescue 2 prior to the 9/11 attacks. The story looks at the legacies left by the firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice that day and the members who kept these highly skilled companies running in the days, week and months after. 

Brotherhood: Life in the FDNY - This documentary focuses on FDNY Squad 252, Rescue 1 and Rescue 4 as they recover from the loss of their members from the 9/11 attacks.

FDNY Firefighter Recalls Recovery Efforts - FDNY Rescue 5 firefighter Bill Spade tells an emotional story of his response to the attacks and efforts to evacuate the North Tower. He was the only member of his company to survive.

9/11 Calls from the Towers: Battalion Chief Orio Palmer - The story of FDNY Battalion Chief Orio Palmer, who made it to the 78th floor, and began assessing the point of impact.

Jay Jonas on Surviving the Collapse - Then-Capt. Jay Jonas tells the harrowing story of being among the last members out of the North Tower after it collapsed around them. Jonas, and his crew from Ladder 6, were helping Josephine Harris down the stairs when the tower collapsed and trapped them.

Retiree Comes Back to FDNY to Help - Billy Dennis retired just days before the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The day after, he returned to work on the recovery efforts before focusing on attending funerals to support the families of the funeral.

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