9/11 Stories: NYC EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore

On September 11th she was a rank and file EMS’er. Bonsignore was one of the lead instructors at the EMT academy, which routinely re-trains crews every three years. On 9/11, after the second plane hit the second tower, everyone at the academy boarded city buses. In a convoy, they headed down the West Side Highway to lower Manhattan. They were all scared. From the highway, they could see the burning towers. In disbelief, they watched the first tower collapse. Everyone was silent. As they arrived to what they first thought would be a rescue scene, the second tower collapsed. Still on the bus, they were enveloped by a cloud of dust, dirt and smoke. Lillian was assigned to head the triage team, which quickly turned into a morgue team. Their job was to identify body parts as male, female, civilian, or members of the New York City Fire Department or NYPD. After 18 straight hours, Bonsignore says her body quit. She had never ever felt that degree of exhaustion. Although it had just begun to rain, Lillian wrapped herself in a donated blanket and slept on the open sidewalk. After about an hour of shut-eye, she returned to the job of identifying the body parts.
Lillian Bonsignore didn’t know she was on a missing-in-action-list. Her two daughters, just 3 and 14, didn’t know if their mom was dead or alive. After 2 days, still covered in the dust of the World Trade Center, Lillian hitched a ride to her daughter’s Catholic school. The entire school poured out to greet her and pray with her for the many souls that were lost.
Days later, Bonsignore’s 13 year old daughter made up her mind: my mom will never be there alone again. When she was old enough, she joined the EMS, serving three years.
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[@michellemahar9030]

This is the kind of person I am grateful is in charge! Compassion, and such kindness.

[@julieann4616]

Right?? ❤❤

[@lesliewoodhull5383]

The most difficult part of this entire event was hearing all the high pitched whistles that go off if a Firefighter is in trouble... just heartbreaking.

[@mikimauski]

I agree! Haunts me to this day. I still cry when recounting this event to my kids especially the screeching alarms

[@bretkindell6887]

God bless you Lillian. !! You are so strong..to see the things you saw I don't know if I would be sane. Your a special person

[@dcnole]

Being brave is not about NOT being afraid. Being brave is about being afraid and pushing ahead anyway. Thank you for your bravery and composure.

[@adoculos4521]

You are wrong. It is about both.

[@PutDownTheBunny]

Lillian, I thank God for your bravery, sacrifice and incredible skills. You are an inspiration.

[@martinfey578]

Don't sweat the little things, such such good advice.

[@kamichat]

This story, and all of these stories, are really touching my heart. Every year I take time to remember and connect. I was in Arlington near the Pentagon and ended up helping the Red Cross set up for canteening - making sandwiches for first responders (so not at the site). I first went to the hospital to give blood, but they didn't need it. It was like Lillian said, there were very few casualties, thus no blood needed en masse. 😢 It helped me to be helpful. However small.

[@carolgiangreco6548]

An amazing person amongst so many committed to doing what needs to be done! I've learned a great deal from listening to these first person accounts, Sherry. Thank you! And thanks to the American way of life that provides the structure in place to help its citizens AND the desire and courage of good people to go above and beyond. I know there's a lot of conflict and political difficulties right now - in 2024 - but I am still very grateful and proud to be an American.

[@MareRS357]

No one at the time of 911 that the Twin Towers would fall. That must of been a horrible experience. I saw pictures and it look like Armageddon. Thank you for your service. Many brave souls that day. ❤️

[@bobblebardsley]

"I spend the majority of my day living like tomorrow is my turn to be part of that number." I think it would serve me well to live by that more of the time too. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Spiritlife01]

What a beautiful human she is.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

Thats a she?!

[@julianrabbit]

@Augfordpdoggie How many men do you know named Lillian? Her daughters can read this, you know.

[@user-rx4gs2sd5o]

Dear Lilian! Thanks so much for everything ❤ God bless you and your family and all that were with you 🙏 ❤

[@lizzypop2628]

What a great experience for your EMS students!! Very cool Lillian!!

[@ritaeppard5059]

Just a simple thanks, Lillian.

[@taffycat5049]

Just amazing, the human resilience. I'm so grateful for people like Lillian. Her story of what she experienced that day brings tears to my eyes. Listening to this, I have to wonder how long it took for her to actually get a decent night's sleep. It's hard to sleep after experiencing so much trauma.

[@favouritemoon4133]

What an amazing person. Thank you for giving your account.

[@juliebriz1703]

Thank you so much for sharing. I am from the UK and these stories help me understand what you guys went through on that dreadful day and how you are all doing now. X

[@samantharedden3906]

Thank you for your service.

[@jeremycounty9546]

Very nice interview. Hope she's still doing well today

[@laurenbendik2006]

Can’t imagine sorting bodies and body parts for 18 hours….wow. I would have nightmares the rest of my life.

[@patriciarouse2801]

EMT with nothing more to do than account for the dead and body parts. Civic Duty is alive and well enough . Freedom and Liberty for ALL! Thank you for your service Madam Chief of EMTs training and certification. Ready, willing and able. Some example of cowgirling up! Fight like a girl!

[@goodkarna]

You can't imagine how many people you impacted at that school! Wow! Filthy with blood and debris, what a testament to everyone there what had happened. I know they will never forget. This Is one of the most interesting interviews on this channel because there isn't a whole lot from this EMS perspective I am so grateful sorry and curious that EMS text had to identify bodies and just pieces of the dead. That must have been horrific. Are you trained for that or did you know you would ever have to do that in your line of work? Thank you for your service. BTW- I felt your exhaustion at the blankets point of the story and was so glad you slept 😴 Exceptional testimony.

[@mdgraystone]

Outstanding leadership!

[@theresaann7388]

Thank you so much for sharing. I think most people can tell that you handle emergencies and stress very well. And you were so real and honest and in sharing with us ask what you went through. I wish I was in your class I'm sure I would learn well.

[@troubletime8684]

An absolute hero 🥰

[@queenlady1180]

SURE

[@louisemeloche5917]

Hat off to you, Lillian

[@b0borden437]

Thank you for telling your story.

[@laviolist]

Thank you for your service Lillian. You’re a National hero 🙏🩷

[@juliamarin4896]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@melray5001]

Really like her responses around 18 min. She's just super thankful she's living life!!

[@NJBeachlover1]

God bless you 🙏

[@KennethD000]

I really like this woman! 💙

[@bluegreenglue6565]

My god, what a terrible thing to witness and experience.

[@ashleyparks1738]

I can't imagine pulling out dead bodies/parts after experiencing 9/11

[@BigBrother-op6wq]

Thank you for your service

[@amy109]

What an inspiration. God bless you 🙏🏼❤️

[@julieann4616]

Thank you Lillian! ❤🤍💙

[@onlineneonataleducation7922]

Love her story and hope

[@lymxavier]

We get alot lot of stories abt firefigters and policemen as a ems myself its nyc to hear a story of their heroisim no disrespect to all the othe first responders

[@148ESTHER]

Heroes

[@queenlady1180]

WOW WOW WOW

[@belindapaul9828]

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@judithniles2827]

I have a question?, why doesn't anyone ever talk about the people that were on these planes that were murdered that September morning?

[@linrogers4326]

I often think of that too.

[@raineyj560]

U have to watch the documentaries. I think these survivors just focus on the ppl from the buildings and on the street, even though ppl on the plane were more than likely mixed in w the lost souls from the building but we know what shape they were in 😥😥.

[@MareRS357]

They could not save the dead they could only save the living.

[@NJBeachlover1]

Watch the interview with Terry Horniacek. She discusses the flight that went down in Shanksville.

[@gh4kr]

@@raineyj560 Actually, the people on the planes would have been vaporised on impact.

[@xino_z]

29:00 is good message

[@leaflover3497]

How horrible to think your going to set up triage and realize no one is alive. EMS setting up a morgue instead.

[@tepmi]

Still never got the memo

[@janblackman6204]

Is that a woman or a man

[@adoculos4521]

Apparently a gay woman.

[@brandenantonino23]

Does it matter they lived through a horrible event just listen and learn from their story

[@ellenchavez2043]

Does it matter? Does it change the narrative?

[@sheilahammond4260]

You took a group of students into a GLASS building???!!! Phew! You must have felt pretty stupid! Who told your family you were missing in action? That was a bit reckless of them! They could have just have said they weren't exactly sure where you were. You must have been worried, once you heard how toxic that dust was. I'm guessing you all learned quite a lot about co-operating with the NYPD and Fire services etc. and not rushing straight in! I'm sorry, you were not to know there wouldn't be a lot of casualties. Had it not have been such an extreme situation, there most likely would have been lots of folk needing your help. The lifts being out of action must have made it hard for injured to get down, and time passed before you got there. It must have been absolutely horrible doing recovery down there. I feel sorry for your poor family, not knowing why you didn't come home.

[@mikeboston421]

a few too many smiles and laughs telling the story..........

[@lorrainedefelice7780]

Well, have you ever stopped to think, that’s why she has gotten through this, a lot easier than most.

[@wendizombie]

There is always ONE. You're that one. 🤫

[@adoculos4521]

@@wendizombie There's a lot of grossly immature types on KZbin comments. He's one of them.

[@adoculos4521]

@@lorrainedefelice7780 He's too stupid and childish to 'think' at all.

[@dmcguriman]

Lillian said it all. I dont even believe in god, but god bless this person if they do. Ive seen the pictures of bodies and the parts . Lillian lived it. And I I know lives it every night in the most unfortuntate way that you cannot get rid of. ((((((((hugs))))))))))). You have an amazing attitude and frankly its the only one you can have to survive. never forget, thx q104 this is the best one yet.

[@aaone123]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing. It’s 2023 and I’m finally able to watch some of these videos and listen to the stories. I can hear the terror in your voice and see the sadness in your eyes. Such a horrific event. You’re a true super hero. 🥹🙂