supposed to evacuate. Some firefighters were determined not to leave the build-
ing while other FDNY personnel remained inside and, in one case, convinced
others to remain with them. In another case, firefighters had successfully
descended to the lobby, where another firefighter then persuaded them to reas-
cend in order to look for specific FDNY personnel.
who were themselves evacuating.
than a minute, not certain what to do, as no chiefs were present. Finally, one
firefighter--who had earlier seen from a window that the South Tower had col-
lapsed--urged that they all leave, as this tower could fall as well.The units then
proceeded to exit onto West Street.While they were doing so, the North Tower
began its pancake collapse, killing some of these men.
enveloped in the darkness of a debris cloud. Some were hurt but could walk.
Others were more severely injured, and some were trapped. Several firefight-
ers came across a group of about 50 civilians who had been taking shelter in
the restaurant and assisted them in evacuating. Up above, at the time of the
South Tower's collapse four companies were descending the stairs single file in
a line of approximately 20 men. Four survived.
ally in the mall concourse, trying to reach the South Tower. Many of these men
were thrown off their feet by the collapse of the South Tower; they then
attempted to regroup in the darkness of the debris cloud and evacuate civil-
ians and themselves, not knowing that the South Tower had collapsed. Several
of these firefighters subsequently searched the PATH station below the con-
course--unaware that the PAPD had cleared the area of all civilians by 9:19.
South Tower had collapsed.The Chief of Department issued a radio order for
all units to evacuate the North Tower, repeating it about five times. He then
directed that the FDNY command post be moved further north on West Street
and told FDNY units in the area to proceed north on West Street toward
Chambers Street. At approximately 10:25, he radioed for two ladder compa-
nies to respond to the Marriott, where he was aware that both FDNY person-
nel and civilians were trapped.