Chief Ray Downey, one of the most respected firefighters of all, will be remembered for his courage, passion and commitment. Firefighter Chuck Downey stands on First Avenue in Manhattan and nods his head to the south and west, in the general direction of what used to be the World Trade Center. The silent gesture is instantly understood, a bit of body language that since … [Read more...] about The Chief’s Last Stand
FDNY
Ronan Tynan: Fireman’s Friend
In December, as a tribute to his contribution to the Fire Department both before and since the September 11 attacks, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan was made an honorary firefighter. Tynan's affinity with the New York Fire Department goes back a long way. In 1984, at the New York Paralympics, he became friendly with some firefighters. This longstanding friendship led him to offer to … [Read more...] about Ronan Tynan: Fireman’s Friend
Report From Ground Zero
An excerpt from Dennis Smith's latest book. ℘℘℘ In the chief's van, Chief Pfeifer hears the Manhattan dispatcher announce that a plane has gone into tower 1 of the World Trade Center. The chief reaches for the telephone. "Battalion 1 to Manhattan." "Okay," the dispatcher answers. It is John Lightsey who is working the microphone this shift. "We have another report of a … [Read more...] about Report From Ground Zero
Dennis Smith
Writer and former firefighter Dennis Smith has spent a lot of time in the company of firefighters since September 11th. He is the founding editor of Firehouse magazine and best-selling author of Report from Engine Co. 82 and other books. He is a licensed financial advisor (having completed federal series 7, series 63 and series 65 exams) and writes a financial advice column for … [Read more...] about Dennis Smith
Dan Rowan: Firefighter
and Organizer of a Cycle
Across America
Firefighter Dan Rowan of Ladder 9, Engine 33 in Lower Manhattan, a company that lost ten men on September 11, organized a cycle tour across America to say thank you to the nation for the outpouring of emotional and financial support he and other firefighters and police officers received in the wake of the attacks. Five colleagues from his firehouse -- Ralph Perricelli, Drew … [Read more...] about Dan Rowan: Firefighter
and Organizer of a Cycle
Across America