9:59 AM to 10:28 AM
The building rumbles. I've never been in an earthquake, but this is what I think it would it be like. "Okay miss engineer. What the fuck was that?" Murph asks excitedly.
"Whatever it was it didn't happen here." I say.
"She's right let's pick it up." Lew says.
"Harry did you feel that." Mrs. Hirshfeld takes her husband's hand.
"Yes of course I did I'm right next to you."
...Manhattan calling Field Com K.
! #$%^&*()
...Manhattan Calling Field Com K.
! #$%^&*()
...Manhattan Calling Field Com K.
Marine Three to Manhattan urgent.
...Go ahead K
One of the building has partially collapsed in the whole entire area K.
...Unit transmitting the urgent identify.
Marine Three. A major collapse in one of the towers.
...Which tower K.
Tower Two Tower Two.
The South Tower Major Collapse.
...Ten-four. 1:15:30 Floor Sixteen
"You said your father was a fireman," Mrs. Hirshfeld asks.
"Yes."
"Is he still working?"
I always want to talk about my father. He was my hero. I hesitate when she asks me. "No, he died on the job." But the words flow out of me almost on their own.
"Oh dear. I'm sorry. How old were you?"
"I was eleven, my sister was seven." She puts her hand on my shoulder. I've felt that hand before. It's the 'I'm sorry' hand.
"That's too bad growing up without your father. I can't imagine my boys growing up without their father."
"Thanks, Mrs. Hirshfeld."
"Your welcome dear."
...Manhattan to Field Com.
...Manhattan to Field Com.
...Manhattan to Field Com.
...Manhattan to Field Com.
Marine Six to Manhattan urgent.
...Marine Six.
Tower Two has had a major explosion and what appears to be a complete collapse surrounding the entire area.
...Marine Six ten-four. We were notified K.
...Manhattan to Field Com.
...Manhattan to Field Com. 1:16:19 Floor Sixteen
The day stands out like it was yesterday. It was late August and it was beautiful and clear, just like today. Prim and I were playing next door at my friend Madge's house when I saw a fire chief's car drive up. I've seen PVFD cars around but never a city car. Out came a chief, a chaplain, and our parish priest. I was about to run when someone from behind picks me up and took me in her arms. It was Mrs. Undersee, she took me in the house, she knew what this meant. I cried and wouldn't let go of her.
My mom eventually came next door and took Prim and me in her arms and explained that Daddy wasn't coming home tonight. That he was killed in a fire. We all cried together for what seemed like hours.
The following days went on forever. The wake the first night was for friends and family. Mom in her black dress, me in my blue dress and Prim in her blue jumper. Although Prim kinda knew what was going on she didn't fully comprehend the situation. She played with the cousins during the three nights of grieving. I, on the other hand, knew what was going on.
The second night was the firematic services. Hundreds of firefighters from the city and locals from the around the county attended. An honor guard of two firefighters stood guard at the coffin with chrome plated ceremonial pike poles. On one side, the American flag and on the other was shared by the FDNY and the PVFD flags.
We sat there as firefighter after firefighter in their Class A uniforms gave their final salute. Some, who knew my mother, would give their condolences personally.
On the day of the funeral, we were escorted into the church by the chiefs. The Chief of the Department escorted my mom. The Chief of Operations escorted me and my sister. Another chief escorted Nan and Pop-Pop. Pop-Pop was also dressed in his Class A uniform.
The Mayor, the Chief, and others spoke about my father. His service to the city, the community, and his family. It was hard, but I held my tears.
After the mass, we went to the cemetery. The procession was lead by the honor guard, next, the pipe and drum corp. A lone drummer setting the step with his drum. That was followed by a decommissioned engine used as a caisson carrying his body. We were in the next car. Other cars followed. It was what was behind the cars that stood out. Fire apparatus for as far as I could see. From the city, from Long Island, from the Hudson Valley. I even saw some from Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. All there to mourn the loss of a firefighter they had not ever met. Also to celebrate his life.
At the cemetery, they played Taps on a bugle and Amazing Grace on the pipes. My mom was given the flag, I was given his FDNY helmet and Prim was given his PVFD helmet. Those items, along with his medals, badges, and other mementos are on display in my mom's house.
Whenever I see them I can feel him in me. I feel him now, leading me to safety.
...Manhattan to Field Com K.
Engine Two-Forty to Manhattan.
...Two-Forty,
There's been a major collapse. Everybody had to run.
...Ten-four. We notified them of the collapse.
Everyone had to run. I don't know if the Field Com unit is available. 1:18:45 Floor Fourteen
Can anybody hear me?
...Go ahead.
I'm a civilian trapped in one of your fire trucks ... underneath the collapse that just happened.
Stand by there's people close to you.
I can't breathe much longer ... Save me ... I'm in the cab of your truck.
...Okay. Person transmitting the mayday, where are you K?
I just told you. If you look at the World Trade Center, there's the North Pedestrian Bridge, I think it collapsed when that partial building just collapsed ... I was on the street ... I don't have much air ... Please help me.
I copy that. I'm going to go look for him.
...Ten-four. Manhattan to Field Com urgent K.
I can barely breathe. Please send somebody.
...Okay. Person calling for help. You need to calm down and relax. Stand by, we do have someone on the way. Stay off the air, we do have someone on the way over to you. Remain calm. Ten- four?
Ten-four. I'm in the cab of the truck.
...Ten-four. We do have people on the way over there. 1:18:55 Floor Fourteen
...Manhattan to Field Com urgent K.
...Manhattan to Field Com urgent.
! #$%^&*()
...Manhattan to Field Com.
! #Field$%^&*()
...Field Com go.
...Manhattan to Division One-One.
! #$%^&*()
...Any other unit calling Manhattan.
! #$%^&*()
...Manhattan to Field Com K.
George, have them mobilize the Army! We need the Army in Manhattan!
...All units stand by. Everybody try to calm down.
...Manhattan to Field Com K.
...Okay Manhattan to Division...Manhattan to eh...Manhattan to...Manhattan to Car Nine urgent.
...Manhattan to Car Nine urgent.
...Manhattan to any unit operating at the fifth alarm, Tower number Two, any unit K.
...Any unit operating at the collapse. Contact Manhattan forthwith.
Three-Three Bravo to Manhattan.
...Car Three-Three Bravo. We understand there's been a collapse. Can you give us some kind of report K.
! #$%^&*() 1:21:00 Floor Twelve
"Guys we need to step it up." A sign of a good leader is his ability to remain calm. When the boss is calm everybody around him is calm. But even the best might let out their inner panic. "I don't know how much time we have." They move as fast as they can but coordinating four large men in a stairwell carrying a victim in a makeshift stair-chair is difficult. All I can do is lead the way with Mrs. Hirshfeld.
...Manhattan to any unit operating at Two World Trade Center.
...Manhattan to any unit at Two World Trade Center urgent.
! #$%^&*()
I'm EMS MOS at Ladder Fifteen.
... I want you to go to the nearest Chief. Fire Department Chief. Have him come to the radio forth with. If you find anybody with a white hat get them to the radio I need a report to find out what else I can send to him.
! #$%^&*()
...All units stand by. Is there a Staff Chief or Battalion Chief trying to call Manhattan?
They're starting to come out now.
... What other unit calling Manhattan?
... What other unit calling Manhattan?
Engine Two-Three-One. I'm at the World Trade Center. Do you want me to relay a message?
... Yes, I want you find a Chief Officer and have him come to this radio so I can find out what additional help I can send him. You have three fifth alarm assignments and a second alarm assignment either at the scene or responding. Let me know who's in command there at this moment.
Two-Three-One ten-four.
... Do that forthwith. 1:23:10 Floor Eleven
"Attention all units. Evacuate immediately. Evacuate the area immediately." The radio blared. It was the first we've heard from someone down below since we started up the stairs.
"Oh crap, that ain't good let's hurry." Lew tries to raise someone on the radio. "Truck Seventeen on floor eleven evacuating with a victim."
"No answer back. Shit."
! #$%^&*()! # $%^&*()! # $%^&*()! #$ %^&*()
...All units stand by. Please stand by.
...What unit calling?
Four-Charlie.
...Four-Charlie go.
The operations post is moving out to West Street. The command post will be moved out to West Street. They are moving completely out to West Street.
...Okay, the command post is being consolidated on West Street. Is that correct?
That's correct. I'm in contact with Commissioner Feehan.
...Okay. Ten-four 1:24:42 Floor Ten
Fire Marshall Squad Two-Eight to Manhattan.
...Go ahead Two-Eight
We're moving some people ... to the Chase Bank at Broadway ... we're setting up an ad-hoc emergency post with EMS personnel, we can use more people, the place is filling up with injured.
...Ten-four. We have multiple units on the way in K.
Ten-four. 1:25:05 Floor Ten
"Harry, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, just keep walking."
Engine Two-Two-Eight to Manhattan K.
...Engine Two-Two-Eight.
Would you inform all the units responding on the second that the dust cloud has subsided and units can come through the tunnel. It's safe to proceed. Are there any further instructions for Two-Two-Eight at this time? K.
Proceed into the command post at West Street and Albany and stand by for instructions there.
...Engine Two-Two-Eight ten-four.
...All units proceeding through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the dust cloud has subsided and it is safe to proceed to West and Albany for Box Fifty. 1:30:20 Floor Six
Oh God I hope Gale is safe. I don't know what Madge will do without him. And with the baby due soon. I remember the day Gale announced that they were going to have a baby. He was off the wall happy. They asked me to be the godmother. They hadn't picked a godfather when over the summer at a BBQ, Gale and Peeta had a nice long talk. Gale then asked him to be the godfather. It was a big surprise to me. They hadn't been that close, but they clicked and then became friends.
...Any unit operating at Two World Trade Center.
...Any unit operating at Two World Trade Center urgent.
...Any unit at Two World Trade Center urgent.
...Engine Two-Two-Eight.
Engine Two-Two-Eight K.
...Engine Two-Two-Eight
...Two-Two-Eight, is it possible you can get over to the Marriott Hotel. Firefighters trapped.
Where are they trapped K?
...In the bell area.
Forty-Charlie urgent.
...Forty-Charlie go.
We're in the Marriott now waiting to evacuate those individuals now K.
...Ten-four. 1:35:00 Floor Three
"So dear, tell me about your young man."
I take my helmet off and take out two photos. I look at the one of me, Prim, Mom and my Father and I show Mrs. Hirshfeld the one of Peeta. "Oh, he's a good looking young man. You'll see him soon."
I like her confidence. "Oh God I hope so."
...Nine-David to Mobile Command Vehicle.
Mobile Command Vehicle
...Are you at the scene?
Right now they have us by the Downtown Athletic Club on West Street.
...Get me a status report on Car-Nine and all the other units that were in that area. And get them back to me please.
Ten-four Nine-Davis. As soon as possible.
...Ten-Four. 1:36:21 Floor Two
Forty-Charlie Manhattan
...Forty-Charlie
I don't know what you gotta do, but I want all the rescue firefighters available from home to report K.
...We have been broadcasting that K.
We need all the help we can get.
...Ten-four. We have multiple units on the way in now. 1:36:59 Floor Two
"Oh thank God, the lobby. Shit, which way do we go?" Lew does a 360.
"I don't know." Murph responds. Across the lobby, we hear footsteps and a light beam pierces the darkness. "HEY! HEY! Do you guys know which way to go?"
It's a pair of Port Authority cops. "Yeah. Follow us." We follow the PA cops to the exit. I see daylight. Thank God.
The cops hold open the doors for us and we bolt through, sprint to the left and then a right up West Street. I go into the street and look up. Damn, "Guys, the South Tower is gone."
"What do you mean gone."
"Gone. It must have collapsed."
"Let's move before the other one goes too."
Mobile Command Center to Manhattan K.
...Mobile Command Center.
Be advised that Mobile Command Center is set up in front of Pier Eight. I have Engine Two-Zero-Nine with me. Also, Doctor Brazant and Supervising Fire Marshal Burns. I have no radio contact with anybody at this time. As soon as I get something I'll let you know. 1:42:00 In the Street
The rumbling started. The dust made it hard to breath. The wind actually pushed us along.
10:28:22