9/11 Stories: Retired FDNY'er Mike Killarney

From his Bronx firehouse, NYC firefighter Mike Killarney actually saw the first place hit the North Tower of The World Trade Center. Like most, he thought it had to be a small plane. After the second plane hit the South, Engine 83 Ladder 29 was dispatched to Washington Street. In his haste, Mike assumed Washington Street was located by The World Trade Center, so his company headed downtown. As they sped down the now closed-to-regular-traffic FDR Drive, Killarney turned to his officer and wondered aloud ,”Where are we going , exactly?” A call was made to dispatch and it was only then that Killarney was corrected. His engine was actually supposed to go to a staging area, not downtown but uptown on 125thStreet. Had they gone straight to The World Trade Center, most likely they would have been killed with the 343 other FDNY’ers who died in the collapse of the twin towers.
When Killarney’s fire company arrived at the designated staging area, 4 or 5 other FDNY trucks were lined up waiting for them. Again, had they not been delayed, the caravan most likely would have gotten to The World Trade Center well before the first tower collapsed. Though he is tortured by his mistaken assumption, Mike probably saved the lives of many fellow firefighters that day. As it was, Mike Killarney knew at least 50 of the FDNY’ers to die on that darkest day for NYC firefighters.
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[@suetownsend1656]

Oh Mike, you richly deserve the Gordon Bennett Hero with the Biggest Heart Award. Every blessing for you, you dear man.

[@kelseycoyote6576]

Thank you for this heartbreaking interview of this proud fire fighter who went through hell like the other surviving fire fighters, police. I watch these every year in remembrance. I have nothing but gratitude and respect for them.

[@michaelinfante3695]

papa u are the greatest grandpa- Mikey

[@peppiholliday4525]

Michael you made me smile and I think you for that and also for being there for your papa

[@jaycee7440]

I know and worked with Mike.. A truly good man!!

[@MikeLavin]

I doubt he'll ever see this but thank you, Mike, for everything you did during that awful time 20 years ago and for telling your story now

[@mrlaw711]

Mike is a really good guy, and a credit to the FDNY and his family.

[@denisejaydub]

When you just want to hug a stranger through a screen 🥺🙏🏻

[@joerumler6190]

GODS arms are holding you close.....you are a very brave man....as all of the FDNY...GODs grace to all...

[@lorilazise1521]

This is the 1st of these stories I’ve been watching where the storyteller is crying from the start. You know it’s going to be bad. R.I.P. to all perished, especially all the 1st responders. ❤️

[@peppiholliday4525]

Mike is still so much in pain and it will never ever leave him. I admire him for everything that he did during September 11th and what he continued to do until his retirement. I'm sure that to this day he is there for everyone who needs him and I hope God blesses him his family and friends always and forever. Thank you again Mike, good job

[@bexean]

To see how this still affects you today is heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing your story. With love from Liverpool in the UK x

[@sidneyh11]

I too am from Liverpool and I also send so much love. So much respect for all involved xxx

[@vickymatthews1358]

I'm from the Wirral. I can't stop watching these videos. These are truly amazing human beings. Fire fighters, nurses, drs, police, social workers etc are all hero's. Then now and always. Thank you for your service.

[@sidneyh11]

@@vickymatthews1358 so fab to see so many people from the wirral and Liverpool here xx

[@pepsicola6232]

I'm from liverpool too. Still remember the day my nan called me in from playing outside to watch the tv just as it happened.

[@gorgeousmaria74]

I think we all remember where we were that day at the time this tragedy was happenned. Got family members at NY at the time. Thanks God all were working close to NJ. My heart is with all those heroes who risk their life and also with the people who lost a love one.

[@quinndavis-allen4980]

God bless you, you made me cry😢, glad you called your family❤

[@quinndavis-allen4980]

L davis 😭😭😭😭🍷

[@pauladixon9003]

I love that he notices the signs like “the dimes” because those do have meaning. The richness of our memories of people are so important. “No day shall erase you from the memory of time”. Thank you, Mike. ❤️

[@lesliewoodhull5383]

Bless your heart, Mike. I know all of you suffered and your story is very poignant. We LOVE our Firemen and Police Officers!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@denise11864]

The firefighters, and other first responders, running into those buildings while everyone else ran away, still haunts me today. Firefighters are my family. My dad, brother, son, cousins, all Fire and EMS, and it hits me straight in the gut. I search the tv and video footage for a name on bunker gear and check to see if they made it out or not. It’s a heartbreaking moment when you realize most did not. There are few true heroes in this world, and these first responders are the definition of a hero. Praying for you, Mike. Your heart is so wonderful.

[@sassyt1545]

I started finding dimes too, after my mom died. I still find them occasionally, especially if I am going through something stressful. I think of them as a sign that mom is still with me. (I’m of Irish descent as well ☘️) Prayers of protection, peace, and good health , Mike. ❤

[@FFEMTB08]

Seeing a grown man crying is hard. I pray he’s had help and sleeps well at night.

[@user-qv4mx2dl4k]

It's hard because it's so rare though I must say it's refreshing that these men and women who hold it all together to serve and protect can finally fall apart the reason for it is too much to put into words.

[@LadyPercy.]

Mike, its immediately obvious to see and hear how traumatic this was for you to recount. I am so glad you did let us hear your story. On 09/11/2001 the world watched and saw in real time what hatred and mistrust of Western Culture could unleash and how how the dead were cruelly slain on a global scale. We now know that the September 11 death toll was just the beginning. Mike, God Bless you, the free world continues to watch, pray and respect all who where present on that beautiful Autumn morning in New York. Sending you love and healing prayers from the UK. RIP to those that died as a result of September 11 and continued condolences to the families of the lost and fallen.. 🇬🇧🙏🇺🇸❤

[@jennifercobb4090]

Thank you for your service. Mike. You're all heroes. ❤

[@Tom68446]

Thank you Mike Killarney... "We will never forget!" 🙏🗽🌆🌇🌃🙏

[@leoniemoar5409]

Thanks Mike for your bravery. God bless. I hope and pray you’re able to heal as much as possible from the PTSD that has traumatised a lot of people from that day.

[@LLandP]

I am so sorry for the HELL that you have endured. I in no way can possibly imagine what you have gone through, but may God continue to bless you. You are one special dude!

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

NEVER FORGET doesn't say enough about the sacrifices and loss on 9/11. May GOD bless.

[@Kevsadone]

Thank you, Mike.

[@wendizombie]

This man is precious.

[@sherryirbvin7448]

So tragic. The pain in his guy is a real as 20 years ago. So sad and so sorry for ur losses. May God give u peace.

[@LeannaBanana]

He’s such a teddy bear. I just love him. Sweet sweet man. Thank you Mike for your bravery and sharing your story

[@mikimauski]

I really appreciate the interviewer! She is so kind but mostly patient to allow people to say what's on their minds. I've watched DOZENS and I realize most of the speakers come in with a couple things pre-planned to say... But in her wisdom, she does not interrupt their stories or their tangents. I absolutely love this series and the realness and the rawness that we are allowed to witness THANK YOU

[@ontest2008]

Coming up to 20 year anniversary and people still dying from the events of this day. Massive respect to those that did selfless acts on that horrible day in history and didn't return home or are still struggling physically and mentally. 🚒🚑🚓🗽🇺🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️🙏

[@stephensaslafsky4052]

Never forget the terrible day. We’re so many brothers gave it there all.🧑🏻‍🚒🚒

[@marthamartha3222]

It's been twenty years since 911 but our heart still hurts for every lost of life. No words can explain the pain of the family's who lives lost a love one. Evil still around us. We don't feel safe anymore. I asked god 🙏 to give us strength to continue.

[@belindapaul9828]

Another hero whose heart's still broken ❤️

[@GenXgirl969]

I can't imagine experiencing the trauma, tragedy and loss on site, in real time, at the World Trade Centers that day. Thank you for telling your individual story, of the unimaginable circumstances, you were faced with and bravely overcame. Your endurance and courage in trying to save your fellow man is inspiring and nothing short of heroic. It's a miracle that you and other rescuers remained safe, during the recovery efforts and also that you were able to overcome cancer contracted from this day as well. Thank you for your service Mr. Killarney. God Bless you! 🇺🇲America Shall🇺🇲 ~Never🌹9/11/01🌹Forget~

[@saltress1126]

I’m crying too Bro... 💔 I’m with you. I feel your pain. This is STILL FRESH RAW AND PAINFUL. 😪 SENDING YOU A BIG HUG AND 💋 GRATITUDE AND 🙏 PRAYERS FOR YOUR SACRIFICE ❤️THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY DEDICATION AND SHARING THESE MEMORIES....SHOW THIS IN SCHOOLS...🤔 NOT 1 👨‍🚒👮‍♂️👷‍♂️ 💪 HERO QUESTIONED RACE, RELIGION OR POLITICAL OPINIONS. 🤜❤️🤛🏿 20 years later and POLITICIANS HAVE US AT EACH OTHERS THROATS⁉️ 💔😪 🇺🇸 NEVER FORGET...REMEMBER⁉️ 🦅 🙏❤️🌎🕊

[@qtgonewild]

I LOVE THIS GUY

[@mellybugzD]

God bless him ✝️ the rawness of his heart and grief that he still carries is heartbreaking. What a precious soul. The world is made better for having such a genuine heart amongst us. Be blessed, Mike! Thank you for sharing your story. You touched me deeply ❤

[@stephaniecarleton3117]

Clearly a wonderful guy and this is exactly what my cat would be doing if I was trying to talk w/ someone.

[@kmsleyang8972]

His cat could sense he was upset. My cats are like that when my daughter gets upset.

[@judyturner3850]

Give your kittie some pats..It will help you, your kitty and Me. Much love and many prayers going to you and yours..Thank you, Judy

[@Posie-hg1ze]

Bless you Mike, I wish I could give you a hug. I watched here in The UK, my daughter was 3 months old. I can’t even begin to imagine what you and everyone else in NY went through that day.

[@juliamarin4896]

Thank you for sharing your story. I cried like this at my father's funeral. There is no shame in this because it's clear how much you cared. May God Bless You for the rest of your life. Take Care -

[@raymondsmith3618]

God bless you for your service. I pray that the Lord gives you peace. I cried with you for the anguish that I heard in your voice.This is just gut-wrenching!

[@sherryirbvin7448]

Ty for ur service. Ur sacrifices made a difference for so many people. God bless u sir.

[@marybethwylie]

I just want to hug him. ❤

[@sheepsheadmary4673]

Thank you Mike for sharing your heartbreak with us. May God continue to bless you.

[@here4you2024]

Praying for your continued healing. You're so brave and an inspiration of love and care. God Bless You & Your Family, Sir. Thank You for your service.

[@punkyspray]

God bless this man, he’s my hero. rip to all the victims, survivors and their families ❤️🙏💪🇺🇸

[@susane4078]

Normally, I’m not an extremely emotional person, but I find myself weeping when discussing the death of my best friend 35 years ago and the wicked betrayal of my trust by someone I believed-Two of the most jarring events of my life. Likewise, this gentleman is recalling his emotions on this life-altering day. Those of us who have had memorable events in our lives can certainly understand. Those who have not gone through big life challenges in their life, may not empathize with this guy’s emotions.

[@peppiholliday4525]

If they don't, it's their loss

[@heylex6135]

Bless you, bless you, bless you mike! I know it is so hard but thank you for sharing your story may god continue to help you heal and bring you peace! ❤

[@JackieBaisa]

What a hero. Thank you for all you do, and I'm sorry you, your family, and your city/country had to experience that.

[@carolebrunette]

Bless you Mike!

[@tweb2295]

May God bless you sir...!

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

My heart breaks for you and all who’ve been effected by 9-11. Huge hugs from a BC LA County Firefighter’s daughter.

[@cnk1980ck]

You guys are all heroes! the compassion that you have for people and that you had for people on 911 speaks 1000 words I wish I could give you all a big hug thank you so much for everything you did

[@susieallman2615]

If you can live it, I can listen to it. God bless you, sir.

[@dianemitchell1717]

Bless you for all you did on 9-11. Take care. You are brave in telling your story.

[@karadaniel6334]

Mike, your story is so heartbreaking and so honoring to the heroes of the day, of which you are one. Thank you for sharing, praying for you 🙏💙

[@vickimurphy590]

Another heart breaking 9/11 story. Blessings to all of those souls that perished and to all of their family and friends.

[@janblackman6204]

What makes these stories so emotional to me is that I know all the firemen met po

[@lisab0428]

God Bless You! I will never forget.

[@k.gspianoworldjourneyschan437]

Mike!; if you read this, thank you 4 sharing your pain. It's not easy to go back but when yer done, yah feel better. I have ptsd from homelessness and bi-polar 1 so I've lost my imeadiate family 👪 mom dad , & brother so me being the last, I cling to my cousins are my close family. Your my new hero! Your story of going to see Tommy every Sept. /11th is beautiful! I'll never forget here in Ann arbor, michigan. Huggs bigg brother! 😉🤙🌹❤

[@d.j.daugherty4945]

What a hero

[@sheilathailand1903]

Thank you. 💕

[@amandafight7627]

Thank you for sharing your story, you were really brave. All of you who responded were really brave. God bless all of you! You all are always in my thoughts and prayers. Eventhough, I was only 12 taking the ISTEP test in my middle school in south central Indiana when 911 happened, we were even released early that day. I will never forget it.

[@deborahs2593]

Thank you, Mike. May God give you peace.

[@catmeow333]

💔

[@carolgiangreco6548]

This poor gentleman, obviously still grieving the experience and loss on 9/11. God bless your breaking heart, sir.

[@jeffersonmahon3808]

Love you brother ! And God bless or brother's 😓

[@jennifercorley7658]

God bless you Mike! You’re so very brave.

[@missanella]

I watched many of these videos and this one I can feel this man's pain 😭😭💔💔 I'm so sorry 😭😭💓

[@melaniemeyer3558]

Thank you for your story, Sir. Best and kindest greetings from Germany

[@r.h.0101]

That made me cry.

[@MissBe737]

Thank you for sharing. May God heal you. Trauma is a difficult thing.

[@melx6957]

This makes heartbreaking listening, bless your soul ❤😪

[@Boxofcrap]

I also doubt he will see this, but if you know Mr. Killarney please let him inow that there are many peoplw who have heard what he went through, and we think God was with him that day, to save all those firefighters

[@willmack5909]

26:55 I can speak VERY VERY WELL to the point of finding coins. On the tenth anniversary of my Mom's passing (she passed in 2001), at the end of my work day I found a heads up dime next to my car. It was minted in 2001. It was ten cents, and ten years since her passing. Furthermore, FDR's likeness appears on the dime and he was President when she was born. I had a cousin who was killed during Independence Day weekend way back in 1986. On July 3rd 2019, when I was driving to work that day, I was talking to his spirit, something I had really never done before. During one of my breaks I took a walk and on the ground laid a heads up penny. God as my witness, the year on it was 1986. On the day my Mom passed, I was torn what to do as she had a living will. My Dad died in July 1978. When the doctors led us to my Mom's room, the room number was 978. No, this is not just Irish superstitions, not by far. Way way too many of these things have happened to me to be mere coincidence.

[@peppiholliday4525]

I have heard that there are no coincidences. And I truly believe that. The day that we had the service for my son the first thing that I saw that morning was a beautiful red cardinal and he continues to come back year after year to me and his brother. My husband passed away in 1998 and my son in 2005. This is not something that you make up this is real and seeing the Cardinal continuing to come back to me all the time is amazing. It's hard to believe but for many many years at night laying in bed I could feel someone laying beside me and or sitting at the end of my bed and I know that it was my husband or my son and that I will see both of them again one day

[@GenericRae]

Thank you for sharing your story, I’m so sorry to see your pain but in sharing this I hope you know that you’re helping others to share their stories and open up about their trauma. Seeing someone else be open helps other people to do the same

[@saltress1126]

THESE 🇺🇸💪HEROES GAVE ALL TO HELP EACH OTHER‼️ 🤜❤️🤛🏿 20 YEARS LATER AND THE 🤥 POLITICIANS HAVE US AT EACH OTHERS THROATS 🤨 💔 WHY HAVE WE LOST SIGHT OF TOGETHERNESS IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY...🤭 🤔 NEVER FORGET‼️ 🤨 REMEMBER⁉️ 💔😪 🙏❤️🌎🕊

[@sandrametcalfe7483]

I’m so sorry for what you and your family have gone through. You are a hero.

[@annemow]

Yes that time thing....12.12..1.11 etc is angels connecting. We are only separated by a thin veil....mike is being a real empath... applaud that honesty. And love and hugs to all lives ruined by this ❤️

[@tommysimmons5266]

You were driving Billy Martin, just listening to his story.

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rethinkeverything2982]

🙏🙏🙏

[@lisacomstock858]

❤️

[@tomkelly3896]

God bless ya mike...keep your head hi.. chin up....peace to you and yours...tomk e60 l17✌

[@elinderfler9358]

💕

[@PC-Phobic-Jean-Rene]

What particularly got me in Mr. Killarney's account was the poignant-scene of _wives and families anxiously-waiting at the Firehouse._ So terribly sad, especially after momentarily believing their loved-ones were pulling up in Mr. Killarney's approaching rig. Only to face the grim-reality, come to understand, which must have soon dawned on them, their beloved were _never coming back._ --- No wonder it broke him-up. For all slain that day by demonic Islamo-fascism, _Rest in Peace._ 🥀🕯 Just days ago, at this writing, Hamas-jihadists executed their horrendous "9/11" on Israel. --- Now so many there must suffer fresh and raw the aftermath: weep and mourn for the lost, grapple with the sights of murder and slaughter. Experience PTSD. Recover from the atrocity, born of demonic HATRED. --- Their traumatized, scarred or broken-lives, by ruthless homicidal-TERROR, changed forever! The dark and evil World we live in, these closing days.

[@user-lu9hq6jv4v]

❤🙏🏻

[@i.m.demarco2324]

💞✌🙏

[@annawoxlin6533]

😊🤗❤🇸🇪

[@vladimirk9584]

7:39 about WTC7

[@kinetickutz]

15 mins in and this guy has broke down like 5-6 times already. So far his story is very mild compared to the others and he got there after the towers fell. I am fully empathetic to his plight but I’m curios why he is breaking down talking about some of these other story tellers easiest parts of their day there. I will finish to hopefully grasp why he is soo much more tore up then the others.

[@mybluesaway6856]

Maybe he is just more sensitive to the pain of others and it obviously affected him profoundly

[@MareRS357]

I do not think I could handle 911 situation. I think these firefighters are so brave. Seeing body parts seeing a huge building fall and so many people dying would burn its memory in your brain and heart. I think it is much better to cry than having a nervous breakdown. Crying can be a blessing. Everyone handles grief differently.

[@dianemitchell1717]

He is obviously suffering from ptsd which happened to most first responders and their families to some degree. He is close to his feelings and is reliving his experience as he retells it. Some people can shut off their feelings better than others which is a defense mechanism.

[@sheilahammond4260]

It's called Empathy. He feels for others grief and pain, and it's not a matter of who suffered more, or less. It's heartbreaking, whether or not people were on the spot. This man saw more than enough, more than anyone would want to see. This is a guy who spent many years trying to rescue people, because he cares. He may never have spoken of his grief before, but even if he has, a thousand times, it reached inside him. Don't judge him for allowing others to see his tears. He may have held back his tears a thousand times. It must be hard to talk about it, and relive the emotions of that day, when he couldn't just cry, and was so horrified. This gentleman has suffered ever since, battling cancer and health issues, too. Very likely due to his exposure that day. He saw friends and colleagues die, and was and still is heartbroken. He must have seen the people falling or jumping to their deaths, and was unable to rescue them. Try to have a heart, and think about it, without judgement. Perhaps you lack empathy, but each of us cope in our own way. Crying is not something to be ashamed of. It's a relief mechanism, and can help a lot to open up, and let the tears flow. Perhaps you will find that out one day, or maybe not. If you ever do, you will understand.

[@kfrancis1872]

Just tell ur tragic event - God has kept u from thus far. When ur world is turned upside down,make sure u retell it so every knittwit and idiot approves.

[@cybersechs1368]

This guys a big crybaby