BIGLOVEBALL New York Fire Fighters

At 8:46 on September 11th, 2001, the first plane struck the North Tower. Right next to the World Trade Center sat the Firehouse of Engine 10 and Ladder 10. Firefighters jumped to their feet as they heard the unbearable sound. 343 members of the FDNY from 75 separate fire companies would die that day including 6 from this fire house. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Lieutenant of Ladder 10 next to Ground Zero | Photo by Bob Garlick

Lieutenant of Ladder 10 next to Ground Zero | Photo by Bob Garlick

Lieutenant of Engine 10 next to Ground Zero | Photo by Bob Garlick

Engine 55 is stationed at an iconic fire house in “Little Italy”. They were investigating a gas leak near the World Trade Centre on the morning of 9/11 and were among the first companies to respond to the scene where five of them would lose their lives. It is also the fire house where former FDNY member Steve Buscemi worked before pursuing his acting career. He quietly returned to work shoulder to shoulder with his fire company at Ground Zero showing the everlasting brotherhood amongst firefighters. Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Engine 55 is stationed at an iconic fire house in “Little Italy”. They were investigating a gas leak near the World Trade Centre on the morning of 9/11 and were among the first companies to respond to the scene where five of them would lose their lives. It is also the fire house where former FDNY member Steve Buscemi worked before pursuing his acting career. He quietly returned to work shoulder to shoulder with his fire company at Ground Zero showing the everlasting brotherhood amongst firefighters. Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. | Photo by Bob Garlick

These men are from the station of Ladder 20, Engine 13 and Division 1 known as “Soho Trucking Company”. Tasked with searching the North Tower, Ladder 20 was in the building when the towers collapsed. The entire company made the ultimate sacrifice that day. | Photo by Bob Garlick

One of the untold stories of 9/11 is the thousands of off duty firefighters who responded. Of the 343 FDNY members who died, 60 were off duty. A total recall of all members was made that day for the first time since 1947 but it wasn't necessary...they were already on their way. | Photo by Bob Garlick

These men are from the crew of Ladder 1 at “Duane Manor” where they share a station with Engine 7 and Battalion 1. As one of the closest companies to the scene, these crews were part of early search and rescue efforts. The crumpled door on the wall behind them is from the Battalion 1 car that was destroyed in the rubble that day. It is one of countless pieces of mangled steel from FDNY fire trucks that now stand as monuments and reminders in fire houses all across New York. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Ladder 1 | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Engine 7 | Photo by Bob Garlick

The “Bowery U” firehouse of Engine 33 and Ladder 9 was one of the hardest hit on 9/11. Led by Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer, 10 members between these two companies gave their lives so that others may live. Kevin is survived by his brother, Battalion Chief Joseph Pfeifer who was the first Chief to take command on scene, one of the many stories of family loss and resilience within the FDNY. | Photo by Bob Garlick

The “Bowery U” firehouse of Engine 33 and Ladder 9 was one of the hardest hit on 9/11. Led by Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer, 10 members between these two companies gave their lives so that others may live. Kevin is survived by his brother, Battalion Chief Joseph Pfeifer who was the first Chief to take command on scene, one of the many stories of family loss and resilience within the FDNY. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Lieutenant of ladder 20 | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Engine 4 Ladder 15 | Photo by Bob Garlick

These are a few of the “Chinatown Dragonfighters” of Ladder 6 and Engine 9. It’s hard to speak about lucky breaks amidst the tragedy, but the story of Ladder 6 was one of the miracles of 9/11. Tasked with searching the North Tower, they were in the building when it collapsed. Upon receiving the call to evacuate, they encountered 59 year old Grandmother, Josephine Harris, in the stairwell on the 20th floor, injured and exhausted from her descent from the 73rd floor. They refused to split their crew and made it their mission to bring Josephine down in the dark and dust. Her inability to continue past the 4th floor meant they were forced to stop at the exact level that would allow them a tiny space in the rubble. To this day the members of Ladder 6 credit her with the survival of their entire crew. Josephine passed away in 2011. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Fort Pitt Ladder 18 | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Ladder 18 | Photo by Bob Garlick

The crew of Ladder 18 shares their “Fort Pitt” station with Engine 15 and Battalion 4 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. They were performing search and rescue in the North Tower and felt it violently shake as the South Tower collapsed. Immediately engulfed in a dust cloud, smoke and total darkness, they evacuated the building and miraculously did not lose a single member. Their mighty ladder truck was crumpled in the debris and recovered weeks later. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Ladder 18. | Photo by Bob Garlick

Firefighter from FDNY Ladder 18. | Photo by Bob Garlick