1
00:00:11,144 --> 00:00:21,020
>>> I'M HOLLY WILLIAMS REPORTING
FOR "60 MINUTES."
AT 10:00 THIS MORNING QUEEN
ELIZABETH II BEGAN HER FINAL

2
00:00:21,087 --> 00:00:31,097
JOURNEY.
FROM HER FAVORITE HOME, BALMORAL
CASTLE IN THE SCOTTISH
COUNTRYSIDE, THE QUEEN'S CORTEGE

3
00:00:31,164 --> 00:00:35,935
TRAVELED TO EDINBURGH, WHERE
SHE'LL LIE IN REST UNTIL TUESDAY
BEFORE MOVING TO LONDON.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ARE

4
00:00:36,002 --> 00:00:44,778
EXPECTED TO PAY THEIR LAST
RESPECTS.
THE BRITISH MONARCH WHO REIGNED
FOR OVER 70 YEARS PASSED AWAY ON

5
00:00:44,844 --> 00:00:50,850
THURSDAY.
JUST TWO DAYS EARLIER SHE'D MET
WITH BRITAIN'S NEW PRIME
MINISTER AS SHE HAD WITH EVERY

6
00:00:50,917 --> 00:00:59,626
PRIME MINISTER GOING BACK TO
WINSTON CHURCHILL.
FOR DECADES SHE WAS ARGUABLY THE
GLUE THAT UNITED THIS KINGDOM.

7
00:00:59,692 --> 00:01:07,267
AT 96 SHE'D BEEN FRAIL FOR
MONTHS.
BUT OUTSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE A
SHOCKED CROWD IMMEDIATELY

8
00:01:07,333 --> 00:01:13,273
GATHERED.
>> I, CHARLES III --
>> Reporter: KING CHARLES III
WAS OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED THE

9
00:01:13,339 --> 00:01:20,847
NEW SOVEREIGN YESTERDAY.
THE DEATH OF THEIR GRANDMOTHER
BROUGHT ESTRANGED BROTHERS
PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY

10
00:01:20,914 --> 00:01:27,053
TOGETHER AGAIN, BRIEFLY AT
LEAST.
IN HIS FIRST ADDRESS TO THE
NATION AS KING CHARLES BORROWED

11
00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:36,463
FROM SHAKESPEARE TO BID HIS
MOTHER FAREWELL.
>> MAY FLIGHTS OF ANGELS SING
THEE TO THY REST.

12
00:01:36,529 --> 00:01:43,670
>> Reporter: AFTER A STATE
FUNERAL ON MONDAY THE 19th QUEEN
ELIZABETH WILL BE LAID TO REST
ALONGSIDE HER LATE HUSBAND,

13
00:01:43,736 --> 00:01:52,111
PRINCE PHILIP, AT WINDSOR CASTLE
JUST OUTSIDE LONDON.
AND NOW, "60 MINUTES."

14
00:02:02,755 --> 00:02:11,564
>>> WHAT AM I DOING ON THIS --
>> 21 YEARS AGO THEY ANSWERED
THE CALL.
>> EVERY AVAILABLE AMBULANCE.

15
00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:20,006
EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT.
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER NOW!
>> WE KNEW THERE COULD BE UP TO
20,000, 25,000 PEOPLE IN EACH

16
00:02:20,073 --> 00:02:27,347
BUILDING.
>> I'M ON THE 83rd FLOOR AND
IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY HOT.
>> EVERY FIREFIGHTER SAW THE

17
00:02:27,413 --> 00:02:31,484
FLAMES, AND THEY LOOKED INTO
THEIR OWN HEARTS.
>> STAY TOGETHER.
STAY TOGETHER.

18
00:02:31,551 --> 00:02:38,458
>> THAT'S WHEN I SAID TO PETE,
PETE, THIS WILL BE THE WORST DAY
OF OUR LIVES.
AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS BEFORE I

19
00:02:38,525 --> 00:02:52,071
KNEW THE HALF OF IT.
>> MAYDAY!
MAYDAY!
WE

20
00:02:52,138 --> 00:02:56,376
COLLAPSE.
>> AND IN THE DARKNESS I
WONDERED IF I WAS DEAD OR ALIVE.
>> HEY, PETE!

21
00:02:56,442 --> 00:03:00,880
CHIEF HAYDEN!
>> TONIGHT --
>> THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
COLLAPSED.

22
00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:08,121
>> THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK.
AND THE GREATEST ACT OF GALLANT
GALLANTRY EVER BESTOWED ON AN

23
00:03:08,187 --> 00:03:18,097
AMERICAN CITY.
>> I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE
SOMETHING THAT'S IN A HISTORY
BOOK, THAT A PAGE IS TURNED AND

24
00:03:18,164 --> 00:03:24,571
WE'RE FORGOTTEN.
>> I'M LESLEY STAHL.
>> I'M BILL WHITAKER.
>> I'M ANDERSON COOPER.

25
00:03:24,637 --> 00:03:29,175
>> I'M SHARYN ALFONSI.
>> I'M JON WERTHEIM.
>> I'M SCOTT PELLEY.
THAT STORY TONIGHT ON "60

26
00:03:29,242 --> 00:03:47,193
MINUTES."
>>> IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF NEW
YORK THERE ARE 217 FIRE HOUSES.
EACH HOLDS A MEMORIAL TO

27
00:03:47,260 --> 00:03:56,235
FIREFIGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE
CALL 21 YEARS AGO AND NEVER
RETURNED.
AS WE FIRST TOLD YOU LAST

28
00:03:56,302 --> 00:04:05,545
SEPTEMBER, 343 MEMBERS OF THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF
NEW YORK PERISHED ON 9/11, IN
THE GREATEST ACT OF GALLANTRY

29
00:04:05,612 --> 00:04:14,020
EVER BESTOWED ON AN AMERICAN
CITY.
THIS IS THEIR STORY.
>> THIS PLANE RACED PAST US

30
00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:25,131
ALONG THE HUDSON RIFF AT SUCH A
LOW ALTITUDE, I COULD READ
"AMERICAN" ON THE FUSELAGE.
>> Reporter: AT 8:46 THAT

31
00:04:25,198 --> 00:04:37,076
MORNING BATTALION CHIEF JOE
PFEIFFER WAS BLOCKS AWAY
SEARCHING FOR A ROUTINE GAS
LEAK.

32
00:04:37,143 --> 00:04:54,594
>> I SAW THE PLANE AIM AND CRASH
INTO THE NORTH TOWER OF THE
WORLD TRADE CENTER.
>> HOLY [ BLEEP ]!

33
00:04:54,661 --> 00:05:00,733
>> Reporter: FROM THAT MOMENT
THE FIEVTS OF FDNY WOULD HAVE
ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TO SAVE
17,000 LIVES.

34
00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:06,839
>> THEY KNEW THAT THEY MIGHT NOT
COME HOME, BUT THEY KNEW THERE
WERE PEOPLE TRAPPED.
THAT'S OUR JOB.

35
00:05:06,906 --> 00:05:15,982
>> THERE'S NO WAY WE WOULD STAND
BACK AND SAY WE'RE NOT GOING IN.
THAT WOULDN'T BE THE FDNY.
>> OUR AIM WAS TO GET ABOVE THAT

36
00:05:16,049 --> 00:05:19,852
FIRE AND GET THOSE POOR PEOPLE
OUT THAT WERE CALLING US.
>> WE'RE ON THE FLOOR AND WE
CAN'T BREATHE.

37
00:05:19,919 --> 00:05:33,199
AND IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY HOT.
>> AND ALL THE DISPATCHER COULD
SAY IS WE'RE COMING FOR YOU.
SO WE LIKE TO KEEP OUR PROMISES,

38
00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:43,576
YOU KNOW.
WE TOLD THEM WE'RE COMING.
WE'RE COMING.
>> Reporter: JOE PFEIFER WAS

39
00:05:43,643 --> 00:05:50,316
COMING FROM W. I CAMERA.
FILMMAKERS JULES AND GIDEON
NODAY WERE MAKING A DOCUMENTARY
ABOUT THE FDNY.

40
00:05:50,383 --> 00:05:54,087
>> OH, MY GOD.
>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FLOORS ON
FIRE.
IT LOOKED LIKE THE PLANE WAS

41
00:05:54,153 --> 00:06:09,001
AIMING TOWARDS THE BUILDING.
>> THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWER
NUMBER 1 IS ON FIRE.
>> ENGINE 1, WORLD TRADE CENTER,

42
00:06:09,068 --> 00:06:15,641
1060.
SEND EVERY AVAILABLE AMBULANCE,
EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT TO THE
WORLD TRADE CENTER NOW!

43
00:06:15,708 --> 00:06:21,881
>> Reporter: DISPATCH LAUNCHED
AN ARMADA.
>> ENGINE 211, LADDER 11.
ENGINE 44, ENGINE 22.

44
00:06:21,948 --> 00:06:31,190
ENGINE 53.
>> Reporter: 121 ENGINES.
62 LADDER COMPANIES.
100 AMBULANCES.

45
00:06:31,257 --> 00:06:38,798
750 MEMBERS OF THE FDNY.
>> ATTENTION 68 ENGINE.
35 EPIGIN.
50 ENGINE.

46
00:06:38,865 --> 00:06:44,437
-64 ENGINE.
94 ENGINE.
83 ENGINE.
>> Reporter: AT FDNY

47
00:06:44,504 --> 00:06:51,711
HEADQUARTERS IN BROOKLYN
54-YEAR-OLD CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
PETER GANSEY JR. RACED TO HIS
CAR.

48
00:06:51,778 --> 00:06:58,918
HE WAS THE BOSS LEADING THE
SECOND LARGEST FIRE DEPARTMENT
IN THE WORLD AFTER TOKYO.
DAN NIGRO WAS HIS NUMBER TWO.

49
00:06:58,985 --> 00:07:04,791
>> SO WE WENT DOWNSTAIRS
QUICKLY, GOT IN THE CAR AND
HEADED OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
WHERE WE COULD SEE THE DAMAGE,

50
00:07:04,857 --> 00:07:12,465
SEE THE SMOKE, SEE THE FIRE.
THAT'S WHEN I SAID TO PETE,
PETE, THIS WILL BE THE WORST DAY
OF OUR LIVES.

51
00:07:12,532 --> 00:07:20,773
AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS BEFORE I
KNEW THE HALF OF IT.
>> CAR 3 TO MANHATTAN.
>> Reporter: PETE GANSEY'S VOICE

52
00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:29,148
WAS RECORDED EN ROUTE.
>> TRANSFER TO FIFTH.
GET US A STAGING AREA SOMEWHERE
ON WEST STREET.

53
00:07:29,215 --> 00:07:36,622
>> Reporter: A BOX IS A
LOCATION.
K SIGNALS THE END OF A MESSAGE.
A THROWBACK TO THE 19th CENTURY

54
00:07:36,689 --> 00:07:47,200
TELEGRAPH, WHICH ON THIS DAY WAS
PUNCTUATING THE GREATEST CRISIS
IN THE DEPARTMENT'S 136 YEARS.
>> RIGHT AWAY I GOT A DEEP SENSE

55
00:07:47,266 --> 00:07:57,543
THAT WE WERE GOING TO LOSE A LOT
OF FIREFIGHTERS THIS DAY.
>> Reporter: DIVISION 1
COMMANDER PETER HAYDEN MET

56
00:07:57,610 --> 00:08:03,649
BATTALION CHIEF JOE PPFEIFFER IN
THE LOBBY OF THE BURNING TOWER.
>> I KNEW WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE
ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.

57
00:08:03,716 --> 00:08:10,456
SO THE ORDER OF THE DAY WAS TO
SEARCH AND EVACUATE AS MANY
PEOPLE AS WE COULD.
AND THAT WE WERE GOING TO BACK

58
00:08:10,523 --> 00:08:17,196
AWAY.
>> Reporter: THE FIRE WAS 93
FLOORS ABOVE.
ELEVATORS WERE OUT.

59
00:08:17,263 --> 00:08:22,368
SO FIREFIGHTERS CLIMBED TIGHT
STAIRWELLS, SHOULDERING 75
POUNDS AND MORE.
>> AND I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE

60
00:08:22,435 --> 00:08:32,078
ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE PEOPLE
OUT AND EVERYBODY THAT WAS ABOVE
THE IMPACT OF THE PLANE, WE WERE
PRETTY MUCH SURE WERE EITHER

61
00:08:32,144 --> 00:08:39,318
DEAD ALREADY OR GOING TO DIE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE
JUMPING OUT ALREADY.
>> Reporter: 1,355 PEOPLE WERE

62
00:08:39,385 --> 00:08:48,594
TRAPPED ABOVE THE FIRE.
THE BOEING 767 HAD SEVERED ALL
THREE STAIRWELLS, LEAVING ONE
WAY OUT.

63
00:08:48,661 --> 00:08:55,835
>> JUMPERS.
JUMPERS.
>> DIVISION 1, BE ADVISED
BATTALION 2 ADVISED WE HAVE

64
00:08:55,902 --> 00:09:04,343
JUMPERS FROM THE WORLD TRADE
CENTER.
>> WE HEARD A LOUD THUD.
AND I KNEW THAT WAS SOMEBODY

65
00:09:04,410 --> 00:09:10,983
THAT EITHER FELL OR JUMPED FROM
THE BUILDING.
>> Reporter: THE FIRST
FIREFIGHTER KILLED WAS HIT BY A

66
00:09:11,050 --> 00:09:20,793
FELLOW HUMAN BEING.
>> IT WAS HAPPENING SO RAPIDLY
THAT I GRABBED THE P.A. SYSTEM
AT THE FIRE COMMAND POST AND I

67
00:09:20,860 --> 00:09:26,065
SAID "THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE
COMING.
IF YOU CAN HOLD ON."
[ BANG ]

68
00:09:26,132 --> 00:09:32,471
>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING
TO HAUNT US PROBABLY FOR THE
REST OF OUR LIVES.
>> Reporter: TOUR COMMANDER SAL

69
00:09:32,538 --> 00:09:37,376
CASSANO HAD ARRIVED PRECISELY 17
MINUTES AFTER THE NORTH TOWER
WAS HIT.
>> JUST AS I GOT OUT OF MY CAR,

70
00:09:37,443 --> 00:09:43,516
I HEARD ANOTHER EXPLOSION.
AND I CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT
TIME IT WAS.
IT WAS 9:03.

71
00:09:43,582 --> 00:09:56,028
BECAUSE THAT WAS THE PLANE THAT
HIT THE SOUTH TOWER.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND PLANE INTO
THE UNDERTOWER OF THE TRADE

72
00:09:56,095 --> 00:10:01,934
CENTER.
>> MAYDAY MAYDAY.
ENGINE -- ANOTHER PLANE HIT THE
SECOND TOWER.

73
00:10:02,001 --> 00:10:09,375
K.
>> Reporter: THE SECOND 767
EXPLODED INTO FLOORS 77 THROUGH
85.

74
00:10:09,442 --> 00:10:17,850
NOW 2,000 PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED A
QUARTER MILE HIGH.
CASSANO RAN INTO THE DEPARTMENT
CHAPLAIN, MICHAEL JUDGE.

75
00:10:17,917 --> 00:10:25,891
>> AND I JUST TOLD HIM FATHER,
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BAD DAY,
YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE
CHAPLAINS HERE.

76
00:10:25,958 --> 00:10:31,063
>> MORE AND MORE FIREFIGHTERS
KEPT COMING IN.
AND THEY TOOK THEIR ASSIGNMENTS
WITH NO QUESTION.

77
00:10:31,130 --> 00:10:36,102
YEAH.
PRETTY TOUGH TO DO.
>> BUT IT'S ALSO HARD TO GIVE
THEM THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.

78
00:10:36,168 --> 00:10:42,641
└> IT WAS.
IT WAS.
BUT YOU KNOW, BUT I COULD TELL
WHEN I GAVE THE ASSIGNMENTS OUT,

79
00:10:42,708 --> 00:10:52,051
I COULD SEE THE LOOK IN THEIR
EYES.
I REMEMBER SEEING FIREFIGHTERS
HUGGING EACH OTHER AND HEADING

80
00:10:52,118 --> 00:10:58,157
UP.
>> HOW MANY FIREFIGHTERS DID YOU
SEE THAT DAY REFUSE TO GO UP THE
STAIRS?

81
00:10:58,224 --> 00:11:06,766
>> NOBODY REFUSED TO GO IN.
>> STAY TOGETHER.
>> I CAN REMEMBER ONE LIEUTENANT
FROM ENGINE 33 COMING UP TO ME

82
00:11:06,832 --> 00:11:20,713
AND NOT SAYING A WORD.
AND WE STOOD THERE WONDERING IF
WE WERE BOTH GOING TO BE OKAY.
AND THAT LIEUTENANT WAS MY

83
00:11:20,780 --> 00:11:31,857
BROTHER KEVIN.
AND THEN I TOLD HIM WHAT I TOLD
MANY OF THE OTHER FIRE OFFICERS.
I SAID GO UP TO THE 70th FLOOR.

84
00:11:31,924 --> 00:11:39,198
>> Reporter: 70, THEY HOPED,
COULD BE A STAGING AREA IN THE
NORTH TOWER.
IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR THE

85
00:11:39,265 --> 00:11:47,873
FDNY HAD RESCUE OPERATIONS IN
THE NORTH TOWER, THE SOUTH
TOWER, AND THE NEARLY SOLD-OUT,
800-ROOM HOTEL BETWEEN THEM.

86
00:11:47,940 --> 00:11:55,714
>> FROM THE TIME THE FIRST PLANE
HIT THE NORTH TOWER UNTIL THE
SECOND THE TOWER COLLAPSED WAS
102 MINUTES.

87
00:11:55,781 --> 00:12:05,291
THE THINGS THAT WERE GOING
THROUGH PETE'S MIND IN JUST 102
MINUTES IS JUST MIND-BOGGLING.
>> Reporter: SAL CASSANO WAS

88
00:12:05,357 --> 00:12:12,298
WITH CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT PETE
GANSEY AT HIS COMMAND POST ON
THE STREET BELOW THE TOWERS.
THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN PICTURE

89
00:12:12,364 --> 00:12:23,075
OF GANSEY THAT DAY.
>> WAS GANSEY THE KIND OF BOSS
THAT YOU DID THINGS FOR BECAUSE
YOU FEARED HIM OR BECAUSE YOU

90
00:12:23,142 --> 00:12:29,748
DESPERATELY DID NOT WANT TOO LET
HIM DOWN?
>> YOU DID IT BECAUSE YOU LOVED
HIM.

91
00:12:29,815 --> 00:12:42,928
>> Reporter: GANSEY JOINED THE
FDNY IN 1968.
>> WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS PETER
GANN

92
00:12:42,995 --> 00:12:49,301
GANCI?
>> PETE -- I GUESS PEOPLE WOULD
SAY HE'S MY ALTER EGO.
HAD A CHEST FULL OF MEDALS.

93
00:12:49,368 --> 00:12:58,344
AND HE WAS JUST A DOWN TO EARTH,
HONEST, HARD-WORKING GUY.
YOU KNOW, HE WAS A PARATROOPER
IN THE ARMY, WORKED HIS WAY UP

94
00:12:58,410 --> 00:13:03,649
TO BE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT IN THE
FDNY.
QUITE A STORY.
>> A STORY OF COURAGE OVER HIS

95
00:13:03,716 --> 00:13:12,725
33-YEAR CAREER.
>> HE WON THE DEPARTMENT'S MEDAL
OF VALOR CRAWLING INTO A BURNING
APARTMENT ON HIS HANDS AND

96
00:13:12,791 --> 00:13:20,299
KNEES, GRABBING A CHILD WHO WAS
CERTAINLY GOING TO DIE, AND
DRAGGING THAT CHILD OUT AND
SAVING HER LIFE.

97
00:13:20,366 --> 00:13:25,738
>> THAT'S THE KIND OF PERSON
PETE WAS.
HE WOULD PUT PEOPLE BEFORE
HIMSELF WITHOUT A DOUBT.

98
00:13:25,804 --> 00:13:33,279
>> Reporter: HE PUT HIS
FIREFIGHTERS BEFORE HIMSELF
THREE MONTHS BEFORE 9/11.
GANCI, THE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT,

99
00:13:33,345 --> 00:13:41,053
RESPONDED FROM HOME TO A CALL OF
FIREFIGHTERS TRAPPED IN A
BURNING STORE.
HE WENT IN WEARING SHORTS AND

100
00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:52,565
BOAT SHOES.
HE ONCE SAID HIS 11,000
FIREFIGHTERS WERE HIS CHILDREN.
ON THAT DAY IN QUEENS HE LOST

101
00:13:52,631 --> 00:14:03,375
THREE.
ON 9/11 THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR
FIREFIGHTER SAFETY WAS CHIEF AL
TURRI, WHO WAS TORMENTED BY THE

102
00:14:03,442 --> 00:14:10,616
PASSING MINUTES.
>> LET IT BURN UP.
>> Reporter: HE ASKED PETE
HAYDEN IF HE HAD CONSIDERED THE

103
00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:17,356
THREAT OF A PARTIAL LOCAL
OOIGZEDOOIGZ PSE
ED
IZED COLLAPSE ON THE BURNING

104
00:14:17,423 --> 00:14:19,858
FLOORS.
>> I SAID YES.
BUT WE NEEDED TO GET THE PEOPLE
OUT.

105
00:14:19,925 --> 00:14:25,030
THERE WERE HUNDREDS UPON
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMING DOWN
THE INTERIOR STAIRS.
>> HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU TI YOU

106
00:14:25,097 --> 00:14:30,302
HAD?
>> I THOUGHT WE HAD A COUPLE OF
HOURS.
>> Reporter: THE CHIEFS KNEW NO

107
00:14:30,369 --> 00:14:36,475
STEEL HIGH-RISE IN HISTORY HAD
EVER COMPLETELY COLLAPSED DUE TO
FIRE.
>> NONE OF US EXPECTED THE

108
00:14:36,542 --> 00:14:43,749
BUILDING TO COME DOWN.
WE EXPECTED THE FIRE TO KEEP
BURNING AND CONDITIONS TO GET
WORSE.

109
00:14:43,816 --> 00:14:53,092
BUT IF WE COULD JUST GET ONE
ROUTE ABOVE IN EACH BUILDING
PERHAPS WE COULD BRING SOME
FOLKS DOWN AT LEAST.

110
00:14:53,158 --> 00:15:03,869
>> YOU JUST NEEDED A LITTLE MORE
TIME.
>> WE JUST NEEDED TIME.
>> Reporter: NO ONE WOULD DO

111
00:15:03,936 --> 00:15:10,409
MORE WITH TIME THAN OREO PALMER.
THAT'S HIM ON THE RIGHT WITH THE
MUSTACHE.
HE'S RECEIVING ORDERS TO GO TO

112
00:15:10,476 --> 00:15:18,117
THE SOUTH TOWER TO TRY TO CLEAR
A PATH TO THE TRAPPED SOULS
CALLING 911.
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE WHERE YOU'RE

113
00:15:18,183 --> 00:15:23,055
AT RIGHT NOW?
>> THERE'S LIKE FIVE PEOPLE HERE
WITH ME.
>> ALL ON THE 83rd FLOOR?

114
00:15:23,122 --> 00:15:30,729
>> 83rd FLOOR.
>> Reporter: 32-YEAR-OLD MELISSA
DOY WAS SAYING THE HAIL MARY
PRAYER WHEN 911 ANSWERED.

115
00:15:30,796 --> 00:15:38,437
THE ONCE-ASPIRING BALLERINA WAS
A MANAGER IN A FINANCIAL FIRM ON
83, ONE OF THE BURNING FLOORS IN
THE SOUTH TOWER.

116
00:15:38,504 --> 00:15:44,643
>> ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO
GET SOMEBODY UP THERE?
>> OF COURSE, MA'AM, WE'RE
COMING UP.

117
00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:48,614
>> WELL, THERE'S NO ONE HERE YET
AND THE FLOOR IS COMPLETELY
ENGULFED.
WE'RE ON THE FLOOR AND WE CAN'T

118
00:15:48,681 --> 00:15:54,219
BREATHE.
AND IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY HOT.
>> Reporter: THE OPERATOR WAS
RIGHT.

119
00:15:54,286 --> 00:16:03,462
SOMEONE WAS RISING TOWARD
MELISSA DOY.
OREO PALMER RAN MARATHONS AS A
HOBBY.

120
00:16:03,529 --> 00:16:09,935
>> BATTALION 7 LADDER 15.
>> BATTALION 7 IS CHIEF PALMER.
LADDER 15 IS A TEAM OF
FIREFIGHTERS A FEW FLOORS BELOW.

121
00:16:10,002 --> 00:16:18,110
>> WHAT HAVE YOU GOT UP THERE,
CHIEF?
>> I'M STILL IN STAIRWAY 74th
FLOOR.

122
00:16:18,177 --> 00:16:22,181
NO SMOKE OR FIRE PROBLEM.
THE WALLS ARE BREACHED, SO BE
CAREFUL.
>> Reporter: THIS IS LADDER 15th

123
00:16:22,247 --> 00:16:33,058
LIEUTENANT JOE LEVY.
>> WE'RE ON 71.
WE'RE COMING UP BEHIND YOU.
>> Reporter: PALMER FOUND FIRE

124
00:16:33,125 --> 00:16:44,069
MARSHAL RON BUCCA ON THE 75th
FLOOR EVACUATING CIVILIANS.
>> BATTALION 7, LADDER 15.

125
00:16:49,308 --> 00:16:55,247
>> Reporter: PALMER HAD
DISCOVERED THE ONLY INTACT
STAIRWAY TO THE TOP OF THE SOUTH
TOWER.

126
00:16:55,314 --> 00:17:03,856
UNLIKE THE NORTH TOWER, THE
SECOND PLANE HAD MISSED STAIRWAY
A.
>> GO UP 77 NOW.

127
00:17:03,922 --> 00:17:10,162
B STAIR.
I'LL BE RIGHT TO YOU.
>> Reporter: IF PALMER COULD
CLEAR THIS STAIRWELL, 619 SOULS

128
00:17:10,229 --> 00:17:16,735
WOULD HAVE A WAY OUT.
HE WAS FIVE FLOORS BELOW MELISSA
DOY AND RISING.
>> I'M GOING TO DIE, AREN'T I?

129
00:17:16,802 --> 00:17:23,208
>> NO, NO, NO, NO.
>> I'M GOING TO DIE.
>> MA'AM, MA'AM, SAY YOUR
PRAYERS.

130
00:17:23,275 --> 00:17:29,248
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DIE.
ZBLIEM GOING TO DIE.
>> THINK POSITIVE BECAUSE YOU'VE
GOT TO HELP EACH OTHER GET OFF

131
00:17:29,314 --> 00:17:33,118
THE FLOOR.
>> WE HAVE ACCESS STAIRS GOING
UP TO 79.
>> I'M ON MY WAY UP, OREO.

132
00:17:33,185 --> 00:17:37,856
>> I'M GOING TO DIE.
>> STAY CALM, STAY CALM, STAY
CALM, STAY CALM.
>> OH, MY GOD.

133
00:17:37,923 --> 00:17:46,265
>> YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB,
MA'AM.
>> IT'S SO HOT.
I'M BURNING UP.

134
00:17:46,331 --> 00:17:50,736
>> THE ASCENT OF OREO PALMER AND
PETER GANCI'S SACRIFICE, WHEN WE
COME BACK.

135
00:17:59,478 --> 00:18:05,984
>>> AN HOUR HAD PASSED SINCE THE
ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
BEGAN.
IN THE SOUTH TOWER BATTALION 7

136
00:18:06,051 --> 00:18:13,892
CHIEF OREO PALMER TOOK THE ONLY
WORKING ELEVATOR AS HIGH AS IT
WOULD GO.
THEN HE LED THE MEN OF LADDER 15

137
00:18:13,959 --> 00:18:25,804
ON A CLIMB FROM THE 40th FLOOR.
PALMER WAS TRYING TO CLEAR A
PATH TO 619 PEOPLE TRAPPED BY
FIRE.

138
00:18:25,871 --> 00:18:33,345
>> BATTALION 7, LADDER 15.
>> Reporter: THIS IS PALMER'S
RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM THE 78th
FLOOR OF THE SOUTH TOWER.

139
00:18:33,412 --> 00:18:41,320
HE'S CALLING THE FIREFIGHTERS OF
LADDER 15 WHO ARE COMING UP WITH
RESCUE GEAR FROM A FEW FLOORS
BELOW.

140
00:18:55,334 --> 00:19:02,040
>> Reporter: 1045 CODE 1s ARE
FATALITIES.
MORE THAN HE COULD COUNT.
PALMER PRESSED TOWARD 79.

141
00:19:02,107 --> 00:19:07,446
CLIMBING AT ABOUT ONE FLOOR A
MINUTE.
AS HE ROSE, MELISSA DOI SPEAKING
TO 911 FROM THE 83rd FLOOR

142
00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:17,289
THOUGHT SHE HEARD SOMEONE.
>> HELP!
HELP!
>> HELL, MISS?

143
00:19:17,356 --> 00:19:23,862
>> HELP!
OH, MY GOD.
FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANYBODY HERE
ON THE 83rd FLOOR.

144
00:19:23,929 --> 00:19:31,737
>> MA'AM, YOU STAY ON THE FLOOR
WITH ME.
>> CAN YOU FIND OUT IF THERE'S
SOMEBODY ON THE 383rd FLOOR?

145
00:19:31,803 --> 00:19:35,941
>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE SHOULD
HEARD.
BUT HEARING NO ANSWER TO HER
SHOUT MELISSA DOI RETURNED TO

146
00:19:36,008 --> 00:19:47,319
THE CALL.
>> CAN YOU -- CAN YOU STAY ON
THE LINE WITH ME, PLEASE?
I FEEL LIKE I'M DYING.

147
00:19:47,386 --> 00:19:52,991
>> ORIO PALMER KNEW HOW
DANGEROUS THIS WAS.
AND HE DIDN'T STOP.
LADDER 15 KNEW HOW DANGEROUS IT

148
00:19:53,058 --> 00:19:58,764
WAS.
BUT WE NEVER THOUGHT THAT AN
ENTIRE HIGH-RISE BUILDING WOULD
COLLAPSE.

149
00:19:58,830 --> 00:20:07,306
THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF IT
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
>> Reporter: BUT THIS DAY
HISTORY WAS CHANGING BECAUSE THE

150
00:20:07,372 --> 00:20:18,116
PLANES HAD BLASTED AWAY THE
SPRAY-ON FIREPROOF FOAM
INSULATING THE STRUCTURAL STEEL.
THE BURNING FLOORS WERE SAGGING,

151
00:20:18,183 --> 00:20:24,389
SLOWLY PULLING THE EXTERIOR
INWARD.
EMS DIVISION CHIEF JOHN PERUGGIA
WAS IN THE CITY EMERGENCY

152
00:20:24,456 --> 00:20:29,728
OPERATIONS CENTER, WHERE HE
RECEIVED A WARNING FROM AN
OFFICIAL HE BELIEVES WAS AN
ENGINEER.

153
00:20:29,795 --> 00:20:37,569
>> HE SAID THE BUILDINGS ARE
SEVERELY COMPROMISED, YOU CAN
SEE SLIGHT LEAN, THEY'RE IN
DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

154
00:20:37,636 --> 00:20:45,310
SO I GRABBED ONE OF MY STAFF
GUYS, EMT RICH CERILLA.
AND I SAID RICH, GO TO PETE
GANCI, DON'T TALK TO ANYONE

155
00:20:45,377 --> 00:20:51,717
ELSE, AND DELIVER THIS MESSAGE.
THE BUILDINGS ARE IN DANGER OF
COLLAPSE.
>> Reporter: IN THIS FOUR-SECOND

156
00:20:51,783 --> 00:21:00,025
VIDEO, AT FAR LEFT YOU SEE RICH
ZERILLO'S BLUE SHIRT.
HE'S DELIVERING THE WARNING TO
PETE GANCI.

157
00:21:00,092 --> 00:21:11,470
ZERILLO HARDLY GOT THE WORDS OUT
WHEN GANCI'S ATTENTION WAS DRAWN
TO A ROAR FROM THE SOUTH TOWER
ABOVE HIM.

158
00:21:11,536 --> 00:21:22,114
>> LOUD NOISE.
HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS.
ALL WE SAW WAS A PLUME OF DUST
AND SMOKE AND DEBRIS.

159
00:21:22,180 --> 00:21:28,754
>> Reporter: IN THE MOMENT
BEFORE, MELISSA DOI HAD GIVEN
THE 911 OPERATOR HER MOTHER'S
PHONE NUMBER AND THE MESSAGE

160
00:21:28,820 --> 00:21:43,402
THAT HER DAUGHTER LOVED HER.
THEN THERE WAS SILENCE.
MELISSA, PLEASE.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

161
00:21:43,468 --> 00:21:48,674
YOU'RE GOING TO BE FINE.
YOU'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOUR
MOTHER YOURSELF.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO STAY POSITIVE.

162
00:21:48,740 --> 00:21:58,350
YOU'VE GOT TO STAY CALM.
YOU'RE GOING TO TALK TO YOUR
MOTHER YOURSELF.
ALL RIGHT?

163
00:21:58,417 --> 00:22:05,090
MELISSA?
>> PALMER'S LAST RADIO
TRANSMISSION WAS BATTALION 7 TO
LADDER 15, AND THERE'S NOTHING

164
00:22:05,157 --> 00:22:17,636
AFTER THAT.
THAT'S WHEN THE TOWER COLLAPSES.
HE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT WITH
EVERY STEP HE ASCENDED HIS

165
00:22:17,703 --> 00:22:25,944
CHANCE OF SURVIVAL DROPPED.
>> DIDN'T DETER HIM ONE BIT.
THE ONLY THING THAT WAS IN HIS
MIND WAS LET ME GET UP THERE,

166
00:22:26,011 --> 00:22:34,219
LET ME GET AS MANY PEOPLE OUT AS
I CAN, AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.
>> Reporter: JOE PFEIFER, NEXT
DOOR IN THE NORTH TOWER, WAS 200

167
00:22:34,286 --> 00:22:56,742
FEET FROM THE CASCADING TWIN.
>> AND THEN THE LOBBY GOES PITCH
BLACK.
>> EVERYBODY ALL RIGHT?

168
00:22:56,808 --> 00:23:03,715
>> YEAH, I'M OKAY.
>> AND IN THE DARKNESS I
WONDERED IF I WAS DEAD OR ALIVE.
>> WE'VE GOT TO GET EVERYBODY

169
00:23:03,782 --> 00:23:10,756
OUT!
LET'S GO!
>> AND I GOT ON MY RADIO AND I
SAID, COMMAND TO ALL UNITS IN

170
00:23:10,822 --> 00:23:17,429
TOWER 1.
>> EVACUATE THE BUILDING.
>> JOE PFEIFER WAS GIVING THE
ORDER TO EVACUATE.

171
00:23:17,496 --> 00:23:26,404
AND ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE
CALLING MY NAME.
>> CHIEF!
CHIEF HAYDEN!

172
00:23:26,471 --> 00:23:37,149
>> HE SAYS WE HAVE SOMEBODY
DOWN.
>> I FELT SOMEBODY AT MY FEET.
AND I SAW THIS WAS OUR

173
00:23:37,215 --> 00:23:47,192
FIREFIGHTER DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN,
FATHER MICHAEL JUDGE.
I REMOVED HIS WHITE COLLAR.
I CHECKED FOR HIS PULSE AND

174
00:23:47,259 --> 00:23:50,862
BREATHING
BREATHING.
AND HE HAD NONE.
AND I KNEW HE WAS GONE.

175
00:23:50,929 --> 00:24:00,405
>> SEVERAL OF US PICKED HIM UP
AND WE CARRIED HIM OUT.
THE EMTs THAT HAD TAKEN HIM
ACTUALLY TOOK HIM NOT TO THE

176
00:24:00,472 --> 00:24:06,812
MORGUE BUT THEY TOOK HIM TO ST.
PETER CLAVA WHICH IS A CATHOLIC
CHURCH A LITTLE NORTH OF THE
TRADE CENTER.

177
00:24:06,878 --> 00:24:16,121
AND THEY LAID HIM ON THE ALTAR.
AND THEY CALLED UP THE
FRANCISCAN PRIESTS TO COME DOWN
AND GET HIM.

178
00:24:16,188 --> 00:24:21,259
>> TOWER 2 HAS A MAJOR EXPLOSION
AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A
COMPLETE COLLAPSE.
>> HAVE THEM MOBILIZE THE ARMY.

179
00:24:21,326 --> 00:24:34,372
WE NEED THE ARMY IN MANHATTAN!
>> THERE WAS A RUSH OF DUST WITH
HIGH PRESSURE COMING IN, YOU
KNOW, WITH FORCE THAT I'VE NEVER

180
00:24:34,439 --> 00:24:40,078
EXPERIENCED BEFORE.
>> Reporter: GANCI'S STREETSIDE
COMMAND POST HAD BEEN SET UP
NEXT TO AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE IN

181
00:24:40,145 --> 00:24:48,453
CASE SHELTER WAS NEEDED.
CAPTAIN JOHN SUDNIK, GANCI, AND
CHIEFS DOVE INTO THE ENTRANCE.
>> I JUST REMEMBER THE DUST THAT

182
00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:56,261
DAY FEELING LIKE IT WAS SEARING
YOUR LUNGS, LIKE IT WAS -- IT
FELT LIKE YOU WERE SWALLOWING
GLASS.

183
00:24:56,328 --> 00:25:00,131
>> PITCH BLACK.
PITCH BLACK.
WE HEARD VOICES.
ARE YOU OKAY?

184
00:25:00,198 --> 00:25:06,071
ARE YOU OKAY?
AND THEN THAT'S WHEN WE MADE OUR
WAY BACK UP.
AND THEN WHEN WE GOT UP TO WHERE

185
00:25:06,137 --> 00:25:16,848
THE COMMAND POST WAS, PETE'S
MIND WENT INTO RESCUE MODE.
>> Reporter: PETE GANCI HEARD ON
THE RADIO THE CRIES OF TRAPPED

186
00:25:16,915 --> 00:25:22,587
AND WOUNDED FIREFIGHTERS.
>> AND THEN I REMEMBER HIM
GIVING ORDERS.
I NEED TRUCK COMPANIES.

187
00:25:22,654 --> 00:25:31,329
I NEED RESCUE COMPANY.
TELL THEM TO COME WITH ME.
>> Reporter: AS HE HAD BEFORE,
GANCI WENT INTO THE DEBRIS TO

188
00:25:31,396 --> 00:25:40,505
SAVE HIS MEN HIMSELF.
IN THE STILL STANDING NORTH
TOWER MANY FIREFIGHTERS REFUSED
THE ORDER TO EVACUATE WHILE THEY

189
00:25:40,572 --> 00:25:49,848
WERE STILL CARRYING THE WOUNDED
AND DISABLED.
GANCI SENT SAL CASSANO TO SET UP
A NEW COMMAND POST.

190
00:25:49,915 --> 00:25:59,090
28 MINUTES LATER CASSANO WAS ON
HIS WAY BACK.
>> AND THEN I LOOK UP AND ALL I
COULD SEE WAS THE ANTENNA FROM

191
00:25:59,157 --> 00:26:11,670
THE NORTH TOWER IMPLODING.
>> THE OTHER TOWER HAS
COLLAPSED.
MAJOR COLLAPSE!

192
00:26:11,736 --> 00:26:24,349
MAJOR COLLAPSE!
>> I IN MY MIND HAD TO BE
RESOLVED WITH DEATH.
>> Reporter: REGINA WILSON WAS

193
00:26:24,416 --> 00:26:35,226
ON THE STREET BELOW THE TOWER.
SHE WAS WITH ENGINE 219, IN HER
SECOND YEAR AS A FIREFIGHTER.
>> AND I PRAYED, AND THEN I JUST

194
00:26:35,293 --> 00:26:43,702
ASKED GOD TO JUST PROTECT ME AND
IF HE COULDN'T I KNEW THAT I
WOULD DIE DOING WHAT I LOVE.
>> Reporter: INSIDE THE

195
00:26:43,768 --> 00:26:51,209
COLLAPSING NORTH TOWER THE MEN
OF ENGINE 39 WERE CAUGHT IN A
STAIRWELL.
>> AND IT STARTED OUT SLOW.

196
00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:57,916
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
THEN IT GOT QUICKER.
AND FASTER.
WHERE PRETTY SOON IT WAS BAM,

197
00:26:57,983 --> 00:27:07,993
BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM COMING DOWN.
>> Reporter: JEFF CONIGLIO AND
JAMEY EFTIOMITES WERE ON THE
STAIRS NEAR THE GROUND FLOOR

198
00:27:08,059 --> 00:27:13,865
WITH 110 FLOORS ABOVE THEM.
>> IT TOOK TEN SECONDS TO COME
DOWN BUT IT FELT LIKE TEN
MINUTES.

199
00:27:13,932 --> 00:27:19,371
I SAW -- I WAS IN THE BACKGROUND
OF A FUNERAL.
I SAW MY CASKET.
I SAW MY PARENTS, MY WIFE

200
00:27:19,437 --> 00:27:24,876
SITTING IN THE FRONT.
AND AS I'M WATCHING THIS I'M
LIKE ALL RIGHT, IT'S GOING TO BE
QUICK.

201
00:27:24,943 --> 00:27:30,915
I'M JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING
TO TAP MY SHOULDER AND FIGURE
I'LL FEEL A TAP AND THAT WILL BE
IT, WE'LL BE GONE.

202
00:27:30,982 --> 00:27:35,720
YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT GOING TO
SUFFER.
>> Reporter: JAMES McGLYNN AND
BOB BACON WERE IN THE SAME

203
00:27:35,787 --> 00:27:40,658
STAIRWELL.
>> YOU KNOW, THE WIND ACTUALLY
CAME UP THE STAIRWELL.
BLEW ME INTO THE AIR.

204
00:27:40,725 --> 00:27:46,297
AND THE LANDING THAT I WAS ON
JUST DISINTEGRATED UNDERNEATH
ME.
AND I KIND OF BOUNCED BACK AND

205
00:27:46,364 --> 00:27:54,372
FORTH AND HANGING FROM LIKE I A
AWAY PIPE.
>> I THINK I SAID A COUPLE OF
PRAYERS AND SAID GOD, PLEASE GET

206
00:27:54,439 --> 00:27:59,177
US OUT OF HERE.
>> Reporter: THEIR FRAGMENT OF
AN INTACT STAIRWELL LAY UPON A
MOUNTAIN OF MISERY.

207
00:27:59,244 --> 00:28:11,623
16 ACRES OF WRECKAGE.
91 CRUSHED FDNY VEHICLES.
AND QUIET.
LIKE THE FIRST HEAVY SNOW OF

208
00:28:11,689 --> 00:28:18,630
WINTER.
>> EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE YOU'D
HEAR THE RADIO, THE DISPATCHER
ON THE RADIO TRYING TO CONTACT

209
00:28:18,696 --> 00:28:20,899
SOMEBODY.

210
00:28:30,141 --> 00:28:36,681
>> SILENCE SPOKE OF UNIMAGINABLE
LOSS.
>> ANY DIVISION CHIEF OR ANY
STAFF CHIEF AT THE SCENE OF ANY

211
00:28:36,748 --> 00:28:45,356
OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS.
K.
>> THAT THE 23 BATTALION CHIEFS
RESPONDED.

212
00:28:45,423 --> 00:28:55,366
ONLY FOUR OF US SURVIVED.
>> Reporter: JOE PFEIFER THOUGHT
OF THE LIEUTENANT OF ENGINE 33,
HIS BROTHER, KEVIN, WHO PFEIFER

213
00:28:55,433 --> 00:29:08,513
SENT UP THE NORTH TOWER.
>> I GOT ON MY RADIO AND I SAID,
BATTALION 1 TO ENGINE 33.
AND I REPEATED IT SEVERAL TIMES.

214
00:29:08,580 --> 00:29:16,788
AND I DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER.
>> Reporter: KEVIN PFEIFER WAS
GONE.
AND SO WAS THE CREW OF LADDER

215
00:29:16,855 --> 00:29:24,529
105, WHICH ROLLED FROM REGINA
WILSON'S FIRE HOUSE.
>> WE FOUND THE TRUCK.
WE DIDN'T FIND THE MEMBERS.

216
00:29:24,596 --> 00:29:34,572
>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?
>> THEY ALL DIED.
>> Reporter: AMONG THEM WAS JOHN
CHIPURA, HER MENTOR AND HER

217
00:29:34,639 --> 00:29:41,246
SAVIOR.
REGINA WILSON WAS ASSIGNED TO
THE DOOMED LADDER 105.
BUT EARLY THAT MORNING BEFORE

218
00:29:41,312 --> 00:29:52,624
THE ATTACK JOHN CHIPURA ASKED TO
SWITCH JOBS, WHICH PUT HER AMONG
THE SURVIVORS OF ENGINE 219.
>> I TRIED TO HONOR HIM BY

219
00:29:52,690 --> 00:30:00,398
TALKING HIS NAME.
AND THAT'S HOW IT IS IN THE
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE.
WHEN YOU SPEAK THE NAME OF AN

220
00:30:00,465 --> 00:30:12,177
ANCESTOR OR YOU SPEAK THE NAME
OF A LOVED ONE, THEN THEY LIVE.
AND SO EVERY TIME I SAY JOHN'S
NAME HE LIVES, AND THAT GIVES ME

221
00:30:12,243 --> 00:30:16,114
COMFORT.
>> IT WAS VERY HOT.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> Reporter: THE MEN OF ENGINE

222
00:30:16,181 --> 00:30:25,924
39 WERE TRAPPED IN THE WRECKAGE
NEAR THE NORTH TOWER LOBBY.
THEY COULD HEAR ONLY A FEW FEET
AWAY BATTALION CHIEF RICHARD

223
00:30:25,990 --> 00:30:31,596
PRUNTI, WHO WAS PINNED AND
CALLING FOR HELP.
>> WE COULDN'T GET TO HIM, AND
HE WAS PASSING OUT AT TIMES.

224
00:30:31,663 --> 00:30:35,633
>> YEAH, HE WAS COMING IN AND
OUT.
>> DID YOU HEAR HIS RADIO
TRANSMISSIONS?

225
00:30:35,700 --> 00:30:41,206
>> THE LAST THING THAT HE SAID
WAS OF COURSE ABOUT HIS WIFE AND
SAYING THAT --
>> TELL MY WIFE AND CHILDREN I

226
00:30:41,272 --> 00:30:44,909
LOVE THEM.
>> YEAH.
THAT THEY WERE -- MY WIFE, THAT
SHE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

227
00:30:44,976 --> 00:30:54,519
IN THE WORLD TO ME.
>> Reporter: THOSE WORDS WERE
AMONG RICHARD PRUNTI'S LAST.
THE MEN OF ENGINE 39 WERE

228
00:30:54,586 --> 00:31:00,758
RESCUED.
BUT 343 MEMBERS OF THE FDNY WERE
GONE.
IN A TRADITION WHERE THE JOB IS

229
00:31:00,825 --> 00:31:10,401
HANDED DOWN IN FAMILIES MANY
LOST FATHERS, SONS, AND
BROTHERS.
>> GUYS I HAD WORKED WITH BOTH

230
00:31:10,468 --> 00:31:23,214
RETIRED AND ACTIVE SAYING TO ME
PETEY, HAVE YOU SEEN MY SON?
AND YOU KNOW, YOUNG FIREFIGHTER
COMING UP, CHIEF, HAVE YOU SEEN

231
00:31:23,281 --> 00:31:31,456
MY FATHER?
I -- I JUST SAID NO.
I DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO
TELL THEM WHAT I KNEW TO BE

232
00:31:31,522 --> 00:31:39,430
TRUE.
>> Reporter: AMONG THE FALLEN
WERE PETER GANCI AND 71-YEAR-OLD
DEPUTY FIRE COMMISSIONER WILLIAM

233
00:31:39,497 --> 00:31:47,672
FIAN, WHO HAD GONE WITH GANCI TO
RESCUE THE TRAPPED.
PETE HAYDEN CLIMBED ATOP AN
ENGINE TO ADDRESS THE LIVING.

234
00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:58,683
>> I YELLED OUT, YOU KNOW, WE
JUST LOST A LOT OF GUYS HERE
TODAY.
LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

235
00:31:58,750 --> 00:32:09,227
AND, WELL, I TOOK MY HELMET OFF.
AND I HELD IT.
I HELD IT.
AND AFTER A WHILE I PUT MY

236
00:32:09,294 --> 00:32:14,065
HELMET BACK ON, THEY PUT THEIR
HELMETS BACK ON.
I SAID OKAY, WE HAVE A JOB TO
DO.

237
00:32:14,132 --> 00:32:26,844
LET'S DO IT.
>> DO YOU LOOK BACK AND WONDER
HOW DID I SURVIVE?
AND 343 MEMBERS DID NOT.

238
00:32:26,911 --> 00:32:35,286
>> YEAH.
I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT AS MUCH
MUCH -- WE WERE CRAZY BUSY.
I WAS WORKING 18 HOURS A DAY.

239
00:32:35,353 --> 00:32:43,227
AND THEN IT HIT ME.
I SAYS I'M HERE.
I GET HOME AND I'M TIRED AND
THERE WAS ALWAYS FOOD ON THE

240
00:32:43,294 --> 00:33:01,145
TABLE WAITING FOR ME WHEN I CAME
HOME, NO MATTER WHAT TIME I CAME
HOME.
AND --

241
00:33:01,212 --> 00:33:18,996
I'M LYING IN BED AND I ASKED MY
WIFE, WHY ME?
AND SHE SAID, DID YOU EVER THINK
THERE WAS A JOB FOR YOU TO DO?

242
00:33:19,063 --> 00:33:28,706
>> THERE WAS A JOB FOR CASSANO
AND OTHERS TO DO.
REBUILDING THE FDNY.
WHEN WE COME BACK, THE CHILDREN

243
00:33:28,773 --> 00:33:35,213
OF THE LOST PUT ON THEIR

244
00:33:44,355 --> 00:33:54,298
>>> VOLUNTEERS STARTED FIGHTING
FIRE IN MANHATTAN IN 1648.
NEARLY 200 YEARS LATER DURING
THE CIVIL WAR AN ENTIRE NEW YORK

245
00:33:54,365 --> 00:34:00,772
REGIMENT WAS MANNED BY
FIREFIGHTERS.
THEIR COMMANDER IS QUOTED, "I
WANT NEW YORK FIREMEN, FOR THERE

246
00:34:00,838 --> 00:34:12,417
ARE NO MORE EFFECTIVE MEN IN THE
COUNTRY."
AS THOSE VETERANS RETURNED HOME
IN 1865, THE MODERN FDNY WAS

247
00:34:12,483 --> 00:34:18,189
CREATED.
THE DEPARTMENT'S TRADITIONS ARE
HANDED DOWN IN FAMILIES.
AND SO IT REMAINS, ESPECIALLY

248
00:34:18,256 --> 00:34:28,533
FOR THE CHILDREN OF 9/11'S
FALLEN.
THE LATE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT,
PETER GANCI, HAD THREE CHILDREN.

249
00:34:28,599 --> 00:34:35,973
HIS DAUGHTER MARRIED A
FIREFIGHTER.
THESE ARE HIS SONS.
CAPTAIN PETER GANCI III WAS 27

250
00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:42,947
ON 9/11.
BATTALION CHIEF CHRIS GANCI WAS
25.
>> HOW DID YOU LEARN YOUR FATHER

251
00:34:43,014 --> 00:34:50,087
DIED?
>> I RAN HOME AND I GOT IN THE
DOOR RIGHT WHEN STEVE MOSEILLO,
WHO WAS MY DAD'S DRIVER, AL

252
00:34:50,154 --> 00:34:56,394
TURI, WHO WAS THE CHIEF OF
SAFETY, I JUST REMEMBER THEM
TELLING MY MOM THAT HE'S GONE.
AND SHE SAID, GONE WHERE?

253
00:34:56,461 --> 00:35:02,266
LIKE THAT.
LIKE INNOCENTLY.
AND THEY'RE LIKE, HE'S DEAD.
AND I REMEMBER THE SCREAM THAT

254
00:35:02,333 --> 00:35:09,106
SHE -- THAT SHE LET OUT.
I CAN STILL HEAR IT IN MY EARS.
AND IT PAINS ME TO HEAR IT.
THE PAIN OF THE REALIZATION THAT

255
00:35:09,173 --> 00:35:14,512
HE'S NEVER WALKING BACK IN THE
DOOR.
>> PETE, WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS
HE?

256
00:35:14,579 --> 00:35:21,686
>> HE LOVED BEING AROUND FAMILY,
BUT HIS FAMILY WAS ALSO THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT.

257
00:35:21,752 --> 00:35:26,624
WE KNEW IT.
MY MOM KNEW IT.
SOMETIMES TO HIS DISMAY.
BUT SHE -- YOU KNOW, WE

258
00:35:26,691 --> 00:35:34,298
UNDERSTOOD THE TYPE OF PERSON
THAT HE WAS AND WHY HE CHOSE,
YOU KNOW, OUR CHOSEN CAREER.
>> CHRIS, YOU WERE IN BUSINESS

259
00:35:34,365 --> 00:35:44,208
AND ON YOUR WAY TO AN MBA.
DID 9/11 MAKE YOU AI FIREMAN?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
HAD 9/11 NOT HAPPENED, I

260
00:35:44,275 --> 00:35:48,946
WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A NEW YORK
CITY FIREFIGHTER.
>> YOU QUOTED YOUR DAD AS
TELLING NEW GRADUATES FROM THE

261
00:35:49,013 --> 00:35:57,655
FIRE ACADEMY, "YOU WILL NEVER,
EVER BE RICH.
BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY."
>> YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HAPPY.

262
00:35:57,722 --> 00:36:02,593
THAT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE
HOW LIKE YOU COULD GET INJURED
OR YOU COULD GET KILLED BUT YET
SOMEHOW YOU COME HOME WITH A

263
00:36:02,660 --> 00:36:06,397
SMILE ON YOUR FACE.
LIKE I ENJOY BEING PART OF THE
ORGANIZATION.
IT MAKES ME -- GIVES ME A SENSE

264
00:36:06,464 --> 00:36:13,838
OF PRIDE THAT I NEVER FELT
ANYWHERE ELSE.
AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT HAD DRIVEN
MY FATHER FOR SO MANY YEARS.

265
00:36:13,905 --> 00:36:19,911
>> I'M JOHN PALOMBO.
I WORK IN 92 ENGINE IN THE SOUTH
BRONX.
>> I'M TOMMY PALOMBO.

266
00:36:19,977 --> 00:36:25,149
I WORK IN 69 ENGINE IN HARLEM.
>> JOHN, HOW OLD WERE YOU ON
9/11?
>> I WAS A WEEK AWAY FROM BEING

267
00:36:25,216 --> 00:36:31,322
8 YEARS OLD.
>> AND I WAS 9.
>> HOW MANY KIDS IN THE PALOMBO
FAMILY?

268
00:36:31,389 --> 00:36:37,194
>> THERE'S TEN OF US.
EIGHT BOYS AND TWO GIRLS.
>> Reporter: THE PALOMBO
BROTHERS' DAD FRANK PALOMBO WAS

269
00:36:37,261 --> 00:36:48,573
46 WHEN HE DIED.
LADDER 105.
IN A SENSE IT WASN'T 9/11 THAT
MADE THE PALOMBO BOYS

270
00:36:48,639 --> 00:36:55,479
FIREFIGHTERS.
IT WAS SEPTEMBER THE 12th, AND
ALL THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWS.
>> MY DAD'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS

271
00:36:55,546 --> 00:37:01,218
IN THE FIREHOUSE, THEY COOKED
FOR US.
THEY DROVE US PLACES.
THEY TOOK US TO SIX FLAGS.

272
00:37:01,285 --> 00:37:05,556
I REMEMBER GOING ON THEIR
SHOULDERS AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'D
TAKE US BY THE ARMS AND SPIN US
IN CIRCLES.

273
00:37:05,623 --> 00:37:11,162
>> Reporter: THE FIREHOUSE
TURNED OUT FOR BIRTHDAYS AND
GAMES.
>> THE STANDS WERE FILLED AT THE

274
00:37:11,228 --> 00:37:20,071
HOCKEY GAMES.
IT WASN'T THE SAME BECAUSE
YOU'RE MISSING THE ONE PERSON
THAT YOU WANT THERE.

275
00:37:20,137 --> 00:37:25,943
BUT THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN
TO FILL IT.
YOU KNOW, THEY NEVER WILL.
BUT THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY

276
00:37:26,010 --> 00:37:31,649
COULD TO FILL IT.
AS HARD AS IT WAS FOR THEM,
TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THEIR OWN
FAMILIES.

277
00:37:31,716 --> 00:37:39,457
>> Reporter: THE FIREHOUSE
COOKED DINNER FOR THE 10
PALOMBOS AND THEIR MOTHER EVERY
MONDAY FOR FIVE YEARS, UNTIL THE

278
00:37:39,523 --> 00:37:49,066
FAMILY MOVED AWAY.
>> ATTENTION!
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 60
CHILDREN OF 9/11'S FALLEN HAVE

279
00:37:49,133 --> 00:37:55,506
BEEN THROUGH THE TRAINING
ACADEMY ON RANDALL'S ISLAND IN
THE EAST RIVER AND ARE NOW ON
THE JOB.

280
00:37:55,573 --> 00:38:03,681
TO JOIN THEY TOOK A WRITTEN EXAM
THAT'S GIVEN ONLY ONCE EVERY
FOUR YEARS.
ABOUT 60,000 APPLICANTS TAKE IT.

281
00:38:03,748 --> 00:38:12,857
AND ONLY THOSE IN THE TOP 10%
EARN A PLACE IN THE RANK AND
FILE.
>> I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM.

282
00:38:12,923 --> 00:38:20,231
I FEEL THAT THEY'RE -- THEIR
FATHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY
PROUD OF THEM.
>> Reporter: DAN NIGRO, CHIEF

283
00:38:20,297 --> 00:38:26,337
GANCI'S NUMBER 2 ON 9/11, WAS
PROMOTED TO CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
AND BECAME THE CITY FIRE
COMMISSIONER.

284
00:38:26,404 --> 00:38:34,945
AMONG THE OTHERS IN OUR STORY,
JOHN SUDNIK, A CAPTAIN ON 9/11,
ROSE TO CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT, AND
SO DID PETER HAYDEN.

285
00:38:35,012 --> 00:38:44,455
SAL CASSANO BECAME FIRE
COMMISSIONER.
BATTALION CHIEF JOE PFEIFER
BECAME CHIEF OF COUNTERTERRORISM

286
00:38:44,522 --> 00:38:50,995
AND NOW TEACHES CRISIS
LEADERSHIP.
REGINA WILSON WAS STUDYING FOR
THE LIEUTENANT'S EXAM.

287
00:38:51,062 --> 00:39:02,973
AND ORIO PALMER'S NAME LIVES ON
THE FDNY'S AWARD FOR THE MOST
PHYSICALLY FIT FIREFIGHTERS.
>> A LOT OF BRAVERY.

288
00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:11,115
A LOT OF BRAVERY WAS DISPLAYED
THAT DAY.
AND FOLLOWED BY A LOT OF
SADNESS.

289
00:39:11,182 --> 00:39:17,621
>> COMMISSIONER, IT SEEMS TO BE
A SAD DAY FOR YOU 20 YEARS
LATER.
>> I THINK FOR EVERYBODY THAT

290
00:39:17,688 --> 00:39:23,160
WAS THERE THAT DAY IT HAS JUST
STAYED WITH THEM, THE SADNESS.
WE HAVE PLENTY OF GOOD DAYS.
PLENTY TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

291
00:39:23,227 --> 00:39:33,270
THOSE OF US WHO SURVIVED.
BUT IT'S A DAY THAT IT WILL
NEVER LEAVE YOU.
>> SADNESS BECOMES PART OF YOUR

292
00:39:33,337 --> 00:39:42,480
LIFE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> YOUR FATHER SURVIVED THE
COLLAPSE OF THE FIRST TOWER.

293
00:39:42,546 --> 00:39:50,054
AND INSTEAD OF MOVING TO SAFETY
HE WENT TO ANSWER THE MAYDAY
CALLS FROM HIS TRAPPED
FIREFIGHTERS.

294
00:39:50,121 --> 00:39:58,129
>> RECEIVING REPORTS OF
FIREFIGHTERS TRAPPED AND DOWN.
>> HE KNEW THAT THE OTHER
BUILDING WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER

295
00:39:58,195 --> 00:40:09,206
OF COLLAPSING.
HE HAD DECIDED IN THAT MOMENT
THAT HE WAS NOT GOING HOME.
>> YEAH, I MEAN, HE CHOSE HIS

296
00:40:09,273 --> 00:40:13,511
GUYS.
AND YOU KNOW, WE COULD GET ANGRY
ABOUT IT.
AND I KNOW MY SISTER AND MY

297
00:40:13,577 --> 00:40:21,085
MOTHER, SOMETIMES WE HIT OUR
HEAD AGAINST THE WALL.
BUT WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS AND
YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT WAS THE

298
00:40:21,152 --> 00:40:28,192
ONLY DECISION.
I KNEW THE WAY HE FELT ABOUT HIS
MEN AND HIS JOB AND THE FDNY AND
HE WAS GOING TO STAY AND SEE THE

299
00:40:28,259 --> 00:40:33,631
JOB THROUGH.
AND --
>> HE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
LIVE WITH HIMSELF IF HE -- IF HE

300
00:40:33,697 --> 00:40:41,071
LEFT AND, YOU KNOW, ONE MORE GUY
WAS KILLED.
IT'S JUST THE WAY HE WAS.
IT WAS I HAVE TO BE THERE UNTIL

301
00:40:41,138 --> 00:40:49,046
THE LAST GUY IS OUT.
>> Reporter: TODAY'S RECRUITS
WERE CHILDREN THEN.
>> SECURE YOUR GEAR.

302
00:40:49,113 --> 00:40:59,223
>> Reporter: AND SO THEY MUSTER
BEFORE MEMORIES.
THREE COLUMNS OF THE WORLD TRADE
CENTER AND 343 LIVES, WHICH ARE

303
00:40:59,290 --> 00:41:11,402
HERE, INDELIBLE IN TIME.
>> SO MANY OF US SACRIFICED SO
MUCH THAT THIS STORY CAN'T GET
LOST.

304
00:41:11,468 --> 00:41:22,980
BECAUSE THE WORLD IS CHANGING
FAST.
AND I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE
SOMETHING THAT'S IN A HISTORY

305
00:41:23,047 --> 00:41:27,518
BOOK, THAT A PAGE IS TURNED AND
WE'RE FORGOTTEN.

306
00:41:31,355 --> 00:41:37,895
>> TWO DECADES LATER 9/11
SURVIVORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
ARE SEEKING MEDICAL CARE AT A
GROWING RATE.

307
00:41:37,962 --> 00:41:55,446
MORE AT 60MINUTE
>>> WE CANNOT DO JUSTICE IN THIS
HOUR OR ANY NUMBER OF HOURS TO
THE SACRIFICES OF THE FDNY, THE

308
00:41:55,512 --> 00:42:03,888
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT,
THE PORT AUTHORITY POLICE, AND
THOSE WHO FOUGHT TO SAVE LIVES
AT THE PENTAGON AND ON FLIGHT 93

309
00:42:03,954 --> 00:42:16,300
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
AT THE TRADE CENTER 2,753 PEOPLE
PERISHED.
BUT THERE WERE MORE THAN 17,000

310
00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:26,744
IN THE TOWERS AND 99% OF THOSE
BELOW THE FIRES SURVIVED.
THAT MORNING A WITNESS WATCHED
FIREFIGHTERS RUSH TO THE

311
00:42:26,810 --> 00:42:36,820
STAIRWELLS AND WONDERED HOW THEY
FOUND THE COURAGE.
AFTER 21 YEARS OF REFLECTION
IT'S CLEAR, THEY CLIMBED TO

312
00:42:36,887 --> 00:42:43,594
RISE.
TO RISE TO THE CRIES 1,000 FEET
ABOVE THEM.
TO RISE TO THE DEFENSE OF THE

313
00:42:43,661 --> 00:42:54,805
FIREFIGHTER BESIDE THEM.
TO RISE BEYOND DUTY.
TO A PLACE