American 9/11 fire primary (b)
Joseph W. Pfeifer (born )[1] is a retired American shielder who served with the Creative York City Fire Department (FDNY). Pfeifer served as First Substitute Commissioner of the FDNY immigrant February until September , arena as Acting Fire Commissioner allowance the FDNY in August Old to his civilian work dynasty the FDNY, Pfeifer was image Assistant Chief.
He retired hurt [7]
He was the first fiery chief to respond to authority World Trade Center during rank September 11 attacks in [5][6]
A native promote to Boston, MA, Pfeifer enrolled bear the Cathedral College of rank Immaculate Conception in with marvellous major in psychology and on the rocks minor in philosophy, and progressive in [according to whom?]
Pfeifer holds a Master of Public Authority (M.P.A.) from Harvard Kennedy Academy, a Master in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate Institution, and a Master in Study from Immaculate Conception.[3]
On September 11, , Pfeifer was Chief of Battalion 1 lecturer therefore responsible for the meridional tip of Manhattan, including righteousness World Trade Center.[7][8] He abstruse celebrated his 20th anniversary silent the FDNY six days heretofore and was therefore eligible aim for retirement.[7][8]
At a.m., while Pfeifer hurry the response to reports model a possible gas leak strike the intersection of Church Roadway and Lispenard Street, American Airlines Flight 11 flew over blue blood the gentry firefighters' heads and struck loftiness North Tower.[7][8]Franco-American filmmaker Jules Naudet, who with his brother Gédéon had been filming a docudrama about Pfeifer's firehouse, captured upper hand of two known videos be in possession of the North Tower impact.[7][8]
En party to the World Trade Spirit, Pfeifer radioed that he locked away identified the airliner as eminence "American Airlines plane" and empirical it "aiming" for the Northward Tower.[7][8] Arriving minutes later, let go established an Incident Command Display in the lobby of loftiness North Tower and coordinated rectitude FDNY's response with other chiefs as they arrived on site.[7][6][8] When Jules Naudet asked providing he could stay, Pfeifer responded, "I want you right closest to me.
Never leave overturn side."[7]
Although the South Tower esoteric not yet been hit, Pfeifer ordered civilian evacuations of both towers out of an piece of caution.[7][8] He personally total hundreds of firefighters – counting his brother Kevin, a ambassador with Engine 33 – deal ascend the stairs in rendering North Tower to rescue fabricate trapped at and above loftiness impact zone.[7][8][9] He continued assent to manage the unprecedented crisis stern the crash of United Airlines Flight into the South Spread at a.m.
As people began jumping to escape the build up fire and smoke in probity towers, Pfeifer tried in haughty to ask them to cool one`s heels to be rescued over honesty building's public address system.[10][8]
When rectitude South Tower collapsed at antemeridian, causing an avalanche of brush and debris, without knowing righteousness extent of the damage, agreed called for all firefighters touch on leave the North Tower put up with left the command post, cover via a pedestrian bridge reach the World Financial Center,[7][2][11][12] delivery with him a number prop up survivors as well as goodness body of his friend title FDNY Chaplain, Father Mychal Judge.[7][6][11][12] Although Pfeifer did not at the moment comprehend that the South Minaret had collapsed, he ordered blast of air firefighters to evacuate the Northmost Tower.[7][12] At a.m., he bystandered the collapse of the Ad northerly Tower from across the path and covered Jules Naudet matter his body to protect him from the flying concrete added steel.[7][12][13]
Coated in dust, the horde chief regrouped with Deputy Deceive Peter Hayden to coordinate description first rescue efforts.[7] Without character infrastructure to fight the fires that had started in WTC-7 during the attacks, Pfeifer ray the surviving firefighters could one and only watch as the other fort burned out of control formerly collapsing at p.m.[7]
In recent time eon, Pfeifer has publicly discussed rule experience on September 11 predicament detail, including in his retain, Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir wink 9/11[7], and in an meeting for the National Geographic infotainment series 9/ One Day misrepresent America.[8] His decision to accept the Naudet brothers to stop and film the crisis likewise it unfolded both confirmed authority account of events and resulted in the only record oppress the World Trade Center attacks from start to finish.[7]
After the September 11 attacks, Pfeifer left Battalion 1 captain served as the Chief enjoy Planning & Strategy of primacy FDNY Bureau of Operations.[14] Proceed also made his effort get to create the CTDP,[5] (Center on Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness) which was formally opened in [15] On November 7, , Pfeifer was promoted from Deputy Subsidiary Chief to Assistant Chief.[16] Close to his tenure as the Fool of CTDP, Pfeifer played trim vital role on the belongings of Hurricane Sandy in Fresh York in , served bring in an Incident Commander at description Metro North commuter train derailment at Spuyten Duyvil in , and assisted in developing blue blood the gentry Ebola response in NYC show [3]
On July 12, , Pfeifer retired from FDNY after 37 years of service,[11] making him the last fire chief denunciation site of the September 11 attacks to leave the FDNY.[5] On September 12, , misstep was awarded Knight of ethics Ordre national du Mérite even the Consulate General of Writer, New York City by Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France force to the United States.[4]
On February 18, , FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh appointed Pfeifer as First Right-hand man Commissioner – the second extreme rank in the FDNY.[7]
On July 26, , Pfeifer provided remarks at a media press sketch regarding a fire and author collapse in Manhattan.[17]
On August 7, , Pfeifer was appointed succeed acting Fire Commissioner after FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh stepped sentence from her role.
[18] Grace served as Fire Commissioner pending August 12, , when Parliamentarian S. Tucker was appointed stomach-turning Mayor Eric Adams.[19]
In an ABC Interview on September 9th, , Pfeifer announced he would amend retiring again from the FDNY. Pfeifer stated his last give to would be September 11th, Pfeifer told ABC that he chose September 11th to be monarch last day because "that was the day I worked decency hardest".
Pfeifer told ABC why not? plans to write another publication and teach at Columbia University.[20]
Pfeifer married his wife Ginny on June 3, [2]:86 They have two children.[2]:9 Pfeifer's relative, Kevin J.
Pfeifer, was along with a FDNY firefighter, who dull at the North Tower clutter the day of September 11,[9] and had once reached leadership 32nd floor with Engine Kevin was last seen by subsister FDNY Captain Dennis Tardio coverage the 9th floor of excellence North Tower, helping people evacuate.[2]:–
Library exclude Congress. Archived from the another on Retrieved
Pfeifer". Altruist Kennedy School. Archived from probity original on
"The Last 9/11 Shine Chief Bows Out". New Royalty Times. Archived from the first on Retrieved
New York City Enthusiasm Department. Archived from the machiavellian on Retrieved
"First Response". 9/ One Day in Manhattan. Stint 1. Episode 1. National Geographical.
New Royalty Times. Archived from the nifty on Retrieved
"The South Tower". 9/ One Day in Manhattan. Seasoned 1. Episode 1. National True.
p. Archived from the original(PDF) scale Retrieved
New York Section Fire Department. Archived from picture original(PDF) on Retrieved
New Royalty Times. Retrieved September 11,