Firefighter Lovers

09/01/2025

Fires on the 11th and 12th floors on the east face of WTC 7.

08/28/2025

Even if the towers had remained standing, the overall casualty count would likely have been nearly the same.

Rescue teams could not access areas above the impact zones. Even without the fires, thick smoke alone would have made rescue efforts impossible long before anyone could reach those floors. The rooftops were inaccessible, and landing helicopters for evacuation was not feasible.

Thus, whether the towers stood for hours, days, or even indefinitely, the number of lives lost would have remained largely unchanged—with the exception of perhaps a few dozen people who might have had extra time to find a viable staircase. Individuals in locations such as Cantor Fitzgerald or Windows on the World would likely not have survived much longer, given the extreme heat and smoke conditions.

While the recovery operations might have been somewhat less complex, and some families might have had earlier closure, the towers themselves would ultimately have been structurally unsalvageable, requiring demolition similar to the fate of the Deutsche Bank building.

08/27/2025

Diagram showing the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
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08/22/2025

08/19/2025

FDNY hero KEITH ALEXANDER GLASCOE!

BIG MAN, BIG HEART

Keith Glascoe was a big man — roughly 6-foot-4, 270 pounds — but maybe the biggest thing about him was his heart. "He was the sort who would stop and pick up a hurt animal in the street, take it to a doctor and pay for it," said his father, Benjamin Glascoe.

Given his size, football was inevitable. He started playing organized ball when he was 8 and twice made it to the New York Jets training camp. The second time, he was injured, but he played for a year in Italy, and learned to speak excellent Italian.

Back in New York, he caught the acting bug. Soon, there he was doing commercials and appearing on "One Life to Live," "Law and Order" and "100 Centre Street." He also had a part in the TV movie "Assault on Devil's Island," but the best of all was playing Benny in the movie "The Professional."

He married Veronica Squef, and he yearned for a more regular job. His kindly nature meshed perfectly with the Fire Department, and he joined Ladder Company 21. Naturally, he played on the department's football team.

Firefighter Glascoe, 38, lived in Brooklyn with his wife and their two children, Nolan, 3, and Owen, 15 months. Ms. Squef is expecting a third child in April.

Off duty, he continued to go to casting calls. But his sons had discovered modeling, and so Firefighter Glascoe had a new role escorting them to their own auditions.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 8, 2001.

GLASCOE-Keith Alexander. A firefighter for three and-a-half years with the Fire Department of New York Ladder Company 21, was tragically lost with that Company's entire squad in the horrific collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was 38. Born in San Francisco, CA, Mr. Glascoe was known for his 30-year football career beginning as an eight year old child. At Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY he played offensive tackle, defensive end and kicker. He played football at Springfield College in Springfield, MA for two years, then transferred to Delaware State College in Dover, DE. Mr. Glascoe helped win several championships at Midwood and Delaware State. He graduated from Delaware State with a Bachelor in Business Administration. Following graduation, he participated in the New York Jets football training camp, but was released when he sustained serious shoulder and neck injuries. He then played American football in Northern Italy. Returning from Italy, he worked at the New York City Children's Welfare Agency (CWA) to help improve the plight of inner-city children. Mr. Glascoe also pursued an acting career, appearing in television commercials, print advertisements, television programs ("America's Most Wanted", "One Life to Live", "100 Centre Street"), and the made-for-TV movie, "Assault on Devil's Island". The highlight of his acting career was his role as "Benny" in the Luc Bessondirected film, "The Professional", which also starred Gary Oldman. Mr. Glascoe was married in 1996 to Veronica Squef and moved briefly to live in South Beach, FL. Mr. Glascoe is survived by his wife Veronica who is expecting their third child in April 2002; two young sons, Nolan Sebastian and Owen Alexander; his parents Benjamin Alexander and Gloria Glascoe; sister and brother-in-law Lee and Calvert Wright; grandmother Addie Oliver; uncles Victor M. Oliver and Sinclair Acey; great uncles Stanford Lawson, Woodrow Guill and great-aunt Jerusha Bennet; a nephew, four nieces and a host of cousins & other relatives. Mother & father-in-law Regina & Jacinto Squef; brother-in-law Gustavo Adrian Squef; sisters-in-law Kristen and Marcela, and a large circle of friends including Pedro Barry, Patrick Fahey, Chris Jones and his FDNY colleagues also survive him. Memorial Mass Saturday, 12 Noon on November 17, 2001 at Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, 29 Mott Street, New York, New York 10013.

08/19/2025

FDNY hero Lawrence Stack.

As a battalion chief in the New York Fire Department, Larry Stack's job was to ensure the safety of firefighters. Sometimes, that meant visiting fires as they burned. "He would go and be the second set of eyes for the firemen," said his older son, Michael, 33.

On Sept. 11, Chief Stack was preparing a report about a fire on June 17, 2001, that killed three firefighters in Queens, a fire that became known as the Father's Day Fire. When he heard about the trade center attack, he rushed to the scene in a department car.

Chief Stack, 58, married Teri Bisch in 1967. She said the most important thing in his life was his family, but there was still room in his heart for more. "The second love of his life," she said, "was working for the Fire Department."

At parties or around the kitchen table at home in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., father and elder son would tell stories about fires they had fought. Chief Stack always hoped that his younger son, Brian Stack, now 30, would join the department. "The day that would have made him happiest would have been the day Brian contributed his stories as well," Mrs. Stack said.

Brian Stack was sworn in as a firefighter in January.

08/19/2025

Happy heavenly birthday FDNY hero
Thomas J. Hetzel; Last Alarm 9-11-01.

Firefighter
Fire Department City of New York
New York
Age: 33

Tom was a wonderful‚ loving husband who adored his daughter‚ Amanda. He was a positive person and lover of life who always helped his family‚ friends‚ and neighbors. He dreamed of becoming a firefighter since he was a boy‚ and at 18‚ joined the local volunteer fire department. His dream of becoming a New York City fireman came true in October 1995 when he was inducted into the NYC Fire Service Academy.

An avid athlete‚ Tom played golf‚ softball‚ and was a superb skier‚ taking to the slopes of Colorado with his beloved wife annually. Tom was proud of his German heritage and often prepared traditional German meals at home and at his firehouse. He proudly played his German music‚ danced the polka‚ attended German festivals and was a member of two German social organizations.

He relished traveling abroad visiting family and touring the country with his wife and daughter