Chief: The Story of Bill Feehan, the Oldest and Highest Ranking Firefighter Killed on 9/11

[@ammyiesu3235]

Incredible tribute to my idol in FDNY that inspired me to study for promotion. I went to everyone of his classes when he was the teacher at Fire Tech on the 70 s. I even recorded his classes on cassette. I worked with Chief Feehan at Fire Headquarters for some years and became good friends. He always was there when I had to get his advice. One day in the 1990s I played one of the tapes of his Class in his office and said to him I got these Captain bars because of you. I always looked up to him. He said thank you but you earned them. My daughter Lorraine was Chief Feehans Secretary for a while he was the best boss to both of us. Chief may you RIP We miss you dearly.. Thank you again for all you did for us and FDNY. Retired Captain Amedeo Iesu Secretary Lorraine Iesu Yodice

[@ChiefFilm2021]

We are late in getting to all these comments. Thank you so much for your words of tribute having know Chief Feehan. Do you still have that tape by any chance???? Best wishes to you both.

[@earllutz2663]

A great tribute to a great Fire Chief who even after becoming the Fire Commissioner, still answered the phone "Chief Feehann"; ALWAYS the Fire Chief. What a wonderful story and tribute.

[@280StJohnsPl]

Nicely said Brother

[@matthewvincent1966]

18:44 “ The fire department, lost Bill at the time that they really need him the most. He was the guy that could put things back together on September 12th.” That part hits hard. What an incredible man. He left us a story behind!

[@Liverpool270]

An amazing tribute - and as bad as it was - he died doing what he wanted - he never had to retire , he’s “still riding”

[@tiffprendergast]

Yeah

[@raquelarchuleta6430]

yes in Deed ❤️🙏

[@MADELYNJimenez-fy2em]

Madelyn Jimenez cabrera vargas yes passworts Rodny Steven Geslle medayln

[@geraldoestaurdo9930]

I wish I could see a movie about each and every responder lost. These are great stories of remembrance! Thank you!

[@krisone63]

Google a friend, Ari Schonbrun, go listen to his story. Those of us that went through that day are scarred by what we saw and who we lost. Bad thing is that I "hate" those who don't remember nor care.

[@chrisleaf7683]

Me too mate I watch as many documentaries as I can about everyone who was lost that day as I want to honour them all and pay my respects I’m in England in the uk and remember the horror of watching every moment We bled with you that day and still do with our sadness for all the souls lost. The coming together of people afterwards was inspiring and the love and hope of that was shared all around the globe I will never forget and I will continue to educate future generations that are oblivious to this I love nyc Good on you all x

[@cindysedaker8126]

Each a hero!!

[@krugerfuchs]

And what about the rest of them others died too

[@franzlavigne3859]

I was working on 9/11 when one of the aircraft flew over our air space in Albany before it hit the towers. For a Christmas present My wife purchased a book from FDNY Store about Chief Feehan's life story. What and awesome book and I wish that I could have met the man. He is a TRUE legend and Hero. May God Bless Him in Heaven and his family on earth.

[@ikGREENY]

He dedicated his whole life helping people, from the military to over 40 years being a firefighter. The man is an absolute hero, even at the age he was at he responded to the Trade Center when he didn’t have to with the rest of his fellow firefighters and gave his life, as he did his whole life, to help save people. He’s an inspiration to me, to always strive to be better and stay true to the person I am. His life’s work to build a safer America will never be forgotten.

[@kirstypaton]

What an incredible testament to the love and respect everyone had for Chief Feehan but also to his dedication to his job, his people and his city. Congratulations to all involved, especially my dearest friend Beth Feehan, for this amazing tribute, for sharing Mr Feehan's story, his inspiration, courage, humility and love for his family, both the fire department one and his own. It was a privilege to have known him.

[@stevendegroff68]

Thank you for sharing Chief Feehan's story. The way he lived his life is an inspiration to us all.

[@OldStreetDoc]

I’m so glad that Chief Feehan’s story is being told. Like so many of the stories that all ended up being such an integral part of that day, we would all be lesser if we were to never know of them. Brilliant work! Thank you. 👏🏼🇺🇸

[@chriswilson9230]

Amazing tribute. Although never having been an FDNY firefighter, it would have been an honor to have met Chief Feehan.

[@jimreilly917]

From STL. THIS man was a treasure for his fighting in Korea, his service in NYFD and a vital part of NYC his whole life. And with his other 342, a hero. God Bless em all.

[@davidjames7382]

Great tribute to the Chief. My father was a paramedic/fireman for 14 years. On 9/11 I was outside perimeter at Sarasota/Bradenton Airport while President Bush was at Booker elementary speaking to children. We didn't know the extent of the attacks until we all arrived home hours later. My prayers and blessings to the Feehan family and his members of his fire department.

[@mightymouseofnyc]

Incredible beautiful story about Chief Feehan. Such a humbled man. Chief Feehan, “You become a symbol of this department. You are no longer just yourself but you are viewed as and what you do and say and how you act can reflect on all these other people. The pride and the tradition and the honor that is symbolic of this department are really in your keeping.” I worked with the American Red Cross from 1996 to 2002 and have the privilege and honor to see this man and many others in action doing what they do best. I truly felt honored. On 9/11, I helped many first responders clean out their eyes and listened to many who had lost a brother and some of the things they were doing on the pile. I never once was disrespected. I certainly do, with all my heart, love the FDNY for what they are capable of doing and the many big hearts I witnessed over several years. When I visited this year to pay the respects to those who I know that were lost that day, I was sadly a target of anger and unbelievable words that came out of several firefighters. Please don’t allow anger to become your legacy. All of you are absolutely incredible and many view firefighters as brave and honorable men and women. I hope the tradition that Chief Feehan set stays for all years and generations that walk through this fire department. God Bless you and keep you safe.

[@hardcorehunter9438]

Anger for what? What did you do?

[@mightymouseofnyc]

@@hardcorehunter9438 Typical narcissistic response.

[@MrTravisAl]

Thank you for your service. I’m sorry that you were met with what sounds like extremely dishonorable attitudes and disrespectful words. You’re a hero and you’re right. Malice is not the way. And there is NO reason or excuse to justify people being nasty to others; especially ones where higher standards are required and expected.

[@280StJohnsPl]

Never met Chief Feehan....but knew people who knew him......always highly praised as a good Fire Officer and a real gentleman. Rest In Peace Chief

[@Paramedic772]

What an amazing tribute. Thank You!

[@redroseofsummer2979]

Just bought the book, what a wonderful man. Rest in perfect peace, Chief feehan.☘️🙏🏻☘️🙏🏻

[@tilliecharlotte94]

@ 6:40 Wow I never knew Chief Feehan worked with my grandfather! Oddly enough my Dad was lost along with Chief Feehan on 9/11. Love and prayers 🙏

[@ChiefFilm2021]

Thanks so much for your kinds words.

[@tilliecharlotte94]

@@ChiefFilm2021 You are very welcome 💖

[@tiffprendergast]

So sorry

[@norethsuarezperez]

😢❤

[@almurray7504]

A fine documentary about a fine man. Glad I got to see this. My love to his family.

[@johngallagher7762]

What an incredible and well told story.

[@leatherguy6798]

Such an amazing story and tribute to a man who was absolutely dedicated to his craft. One thing I've learned about the members of the FDNY is that they all serve with a great deal of humility. Firefighters everywhere owe it to themselves and all who have gone before us, regardless of where we work, to be so dignified as to serve the same way. God Bless Chief Feehan, his family and all he served.

[@williamcap2236]

And that is the definition of what a hero is ! Thank you for your service to our state Rest easy sir !

[@timothykelleher6336]

Humbling and inspiring. May their joy be complete, All who love them strengthened, and their Memory Eternal!🕊

[@JulieRobb-o2o]

Their isn't a perfect thanks. Their isn't a perfect word, or poetic phrase. Just Infinite gratefulness for all HE wanted his legacy to fully represent. " No greater love hath man than he who lays His life down for a friend". I salute your life forever Chief. (RIP)

[@KaoretheHalfDemon]

I wonder if Chief Feehan would have been happy that the Naudet brothers were there filming everything. He did comment on it being a historic event and one of them was in the lobby filming everything that happened. Probably had footage of Feehan as well.

[@johnbernstein203]

What a fireman and human being! It brought tears to my eyes. RIP dear brother!

[@camaly88]

This is an amazing film tribute to an incredible man of knowledge. Great job !!

[@jerseywarbler]

Well done Beth. Got choked up watching it…

[@avidutubewatcher]

A really well done tribute. All the best from Australia 🇦🇺

[@muppetmike69]

Totally heartbreaking for all those who died and this guy was a legend amongst them what a proper hero 😢

[@owensweetland342]

Just watching this tells me that he never forgot where he came from. He was a fireman's fireman. He was a good jake.

[@ME-cs9kr]

I can’t believe this man’s story/KZbin video is not more popular/viewed?

[@granitesevan6243]

There is profound symbolism that a man who had such pride in himself and his work died that day. Nothing has ever been the same since 9/11, including our recognition of true values

[@kevinegan6311]

May God Bless William Feehan and his family. Such a selfless and courageous human being..

[@AllenPortman]

A fantastic tribute to Chief Feehan and the FDNY!!!

[@bison1203]

I’ll always remember the video of him going straight to a group of ladies evacuating the tower to comfort and assist them out of harm’s way. He was clearly one of the best, doing what he loved for all the right reasons.

[@julievanderleest]

Firefighters, medics, police, and all first responders define what heroism is. Sharing this tribute of Bill Feehan is truly a blessing for us but what an eye opener too. Thank you for your heroic service and sacrifice.❤🤍💙

[@deimondrawsproductions]

I knew I would cry as soon as I started this vid. by the end of it I was sobbing-

[@alexannahope7707]

So beautiful to remember that level of teamwork with a respected leader. Thank you

[@kristinel6352]

What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful leader and man.

[@Rollimggiant]

Nothing like a New York accent. Beautiful. What heros we lost that day.

[@JM-oj5gt]

Well made documentary about a worthwhile person

[@MaFireEMS]

Absolutely fantastic! RIP Chief!

[@cynthiamcgee4829]

Incredible tribute for a man who was highly honored. 💔🇺🇸

[@jeanmm2996]

That was a great video of a great sounding man. And I love that it was sponsored by Firstnet, which sounds like it could be such a lifesaver in the field.

[@jafo800]

Rest in peace, love to the Feehan family.

[@AtOddsAlways]

What a fine and good man. RIP, Chief.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Wow this is my first time ever hearing about Bill Feehan story, he had a “General’s” mind, someone who can look at a situation then look around to see how actions could affect others.

[@tony_m_km6mzp]

May God bless the memory of Chief Feehan and and the other first responders we lost on that tragic day. May God bless the Civilians that were lost on that day. And May God continue to bless and protect our first responders, military, The U.S.A. and this World that we live in.

[@Loni-044]

Inspirational man. I hope to meet him in heaven when it’s my time. Thank you for your sacrifice and God bless all the firemen🙏🏻

[@EvangelistStrong]

This was beautiful, it Blessed me in the midst of paid for this act of hate. RIP in CHIEF! The Lord will continue to take care of your family!!!

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

What an absolutely amazing tribute to an unsung hero lost due to cowards. May all those first responders meet at their final muster site ready for action. May GOD bless the families and let them be proud of each hero. May GOD be with each fighting for their lives from the multitude of illnesses. The loss of the "Chief" as he preferred to be called was a huge loss because of his institutional knowledge and history.

[@mikesorochuk7073]

Bless all u angels , thank you for the channel

[@nickd251]

Great documentary , under horrible circumstance! A true gentleman. Wish there was this type of caliber leadership downtown in today time!

[@bertrutledge4546]

Very fitting respectful story of his life. Thank you for sharing.

[@shelliesmith9798]

What an incredible human being ❤ I'm so very sorry for the loss to his family and all of his brothers and sisters in uniform. 🙏

[@eddielong717]

Great story. True hero. Not quite sure about this rank being highest. Pete Gancey was the Chief of the dept and died on 9/11.

[@MegaShrek22]

First deputy commissioner I believe is higher than Chief of department

[@eddielong717]

@@MegaShrek22 as employment chain of command goes, I'm sure you are correct. But on the scene of a fire the Chief is in command and no one has authority over him

[@earllutz2663]

Great tribute to a Great Fire Chief from a 75 year old former Fire Chief.

[@brucedocsmith2837]

Thank you again. Please be safe. Be Blessed…..

[@1775MarineCorps]

Thank you for sharing, A TRUE HERO. I wish Clint Eastwood would make a movie of his life.

[@irt3rdavenueel172]

Bill Feehan was originally from the New York Fire Patrol down in Brooklyn and he was a probationary firefighter in 1959 so he was in the Fire Patrol from 1955-1959 he was first assigned to Ladder 3 in ‘59 when he joined the FDNY and then he joined other units when he got promoted, Chief Dempsey who is formerly from the New York Fire Patrol and he stated he was in the Fire Patrol for 4 years which was from ‘55-‘59

[@alanh1406]

Imagine reading this man’s personal memoirs or reading his take on the history of the FDNY.

[@taminorman1673]

Thank you for your service. A true hero. 🙏💜

[@josephtenney8426]

What fantastic and beautiful man! Phenomenal Chief and true leader of men. Reminds me of my own father now, he currently serves as the Head Chief of his department. Such a sad and terrible day. God bless the FDNY and the 343.

[@Lee-ts3dw]

I loved this video, very touching...he was very special and brave man. ❤

[@TwoTwentyTampa]

I always tear up watching these 9/11 stories. May they all rest in eternal paradise

[@vincentcorrigan5209]

God Bless Chief Feehan . An incredible story of a more incredible man.. Thank you for you service 🙏

[@danobrien8295]

A One in a Million!!! What a class act…. God bless Chief Feehan !!!!

[@richfabian6534]

To my Brother's and Sister's of the FDNY, My Deepest Condolences go out to all of You that lost a Great Man on 9/11. RIP Bill Feehan

[@ivanrodriguez1573]

Great tribute. To think of how much experience, knowledge and expertise were lost in the blink of an eye that terrible day. How the FDNY recovered from that is a miracle unto itself.

[@carreviewer6345]

Does anyone know what the building at 1:07 with the bell is called? I want to know so I can find pictures of the building that's not on 9/11

[@aaroneliezerpilchick8774]

It no longer looks like that. Now it's the Verizon building. Then it was for the Bell phone company (Bell later became AT&T).

[@Ilovesarahbforeva]

Thanks to this man and all other Korean war veterans I have 2 beautiful children who are 1/4 Korean. Hearing how heroic he was is no surprise. Any Korea vet I've ever met has been an amazing person and tough as nails.

[@tommysimmons5266]

Video of the escalator part was in the north tower with the chief who was in charge in the north tower.

[@ellabella6099]

Chief pfeifer

[@eddiewingender8022]

Got there as 2nd tower was hit and spent 14 days at ground zero something in my police career i will never forget those men who lost there lives are true heroes!💙💙💙❤❤❤🖤💙💙💙❤❤❤

[@andrewperez3849]

His son is the spitting image of him.

[@MrOx85]

Chief of chiefs, what a great man.

[@charlesdalton6262]

The pride that I had working for and with these Men and Women will never be Gone or Forgotten 🇺🇸 Thank you from the only blue shirt in the room .You see Officers wear white, while others were suits and business attire .As a Firefighter I always wore blue.I was blessed .To be guided by many .God 🙏 Bless ,Charles Dalton 6TH floor Transfers Assignments UFA Delegate

[@ChiefFilm2021]

Thanks to everyone who has commented on this link and for your appreciation of "Chief". Can I ask, where did those of you who recently discovered the film here find out about it?

[@sassyt1545]

Your film was recommended on my homepage, based on my viewing history, I am guessing. I’ve been watching Q104.3 FM's Shelli Sonstein, 9/11 Stories.

[@erichoffman3593]

It was recommended to me through Facebook.

[@someoneunseen5168]

KZbin recommend due to watching a heap of 9/11 stuff. Watch to remember the lost souls. Never forget!

[@Andrew-yv5et]

KZbin algorithm

[@francesca4966]

You tube me l’a proposé après que j’ai vu des vidéos de Shelli Sonstein.

[@amandautah]

Wow! Sounds like he was one of the greats. Sometimes we don't realize how amazing people are until after they pass, but seems those who knew this man, knew it all along.

[@rogertravis1838]

To my brother Firefighters God Bless you all and to my falling 343 brother my God Bless You and your beautiful family my you “R.I.P” I was 18 years old I was a volunteer Firefighter in N.C and started my E.M.T I learn so much after 9-11 thank you my brother Love my N.Y.F.D. ❤

[@kateandstevebeasley1678]

A leader…..in the truest sense of the word…..RIP Chief😔

[@johnshields6852]

I was 40 when the plants hit, I'm from Boston and I loved New York like Boston's big brother, my aunt lived in Manhatten in the 60's and we'd visit when I was a boy, everytime I see pictures of the towers it breaks my heart, to this day, the only solace I feel is my father died the year before 9/11 and didn't have to see this. 🙏🇺🇸

[@Alvin-1138]

Wow. You did the Chief Proud.

[@Michaelbos]

Outstanding. 🌹

[@colleenmonfross4283]

What a fine man, I wish I had known him.

[@michaeldigiovanni2622]

RIP brother may god bless you and keep you. This Chiefs dedication to his profession as well as his men and women on the job is an inspiration to all who see this film. May we always strive to achieve these heights while not losing who we really are deep inside.

[@acquanellaogbemudia9930]

Thanks for your Service Sir RIP ❤

[@davidwadsworth8982]

he is what all firefighters strive to be.

[@mrfrankiej932]

Been watching 9/11 content for years. It's something that happened within my lifetime, although I was too young to understand. I never knew about Chief Feehan. Seeing videos and tributes and memorials like this gives it gravity where it's more than overwhelming. Demons in human skin perpetrated this slaughter in one sphere of thought, yet countless selfless souls went down there to do whatever they could do. As much agony as it is for the rest of us left behind, Heavens above gained hundreds of angels that day. Chief Feehan among them.

[@VBLASPO1]

GREAT Tribute 👏👏

[@ChiefFilm2021]

Check out "Five Floors Up" nypost.com/2022/09/10/fdny-commissioner-bill-feehans-inspiring-life-and-tragic-9-11-death/

[@supremequart8233]

Beautiful. What a hero!

[@jonahs4819]

This is fantastic

[@matthiasjokonya]

Awe inspiring

[@ChiefFilm2021]

March 9, 2023 at 7pm: www.sheencenter.org/events/detail/chief Screening of "Chief" and panel discussion of "Five Floors Up".

[@Thedeso18]

So did he pass from the debris and smoke cloud coming down? Im confused.

[@kturbo09]

Amazing story of an amazing man! RIP!

[@michaelrispulo3377]

Thank you firefighters.

[@countryshaner141]

He is exactly the type of person who should be the fire commissioner not some political hack.

[@Shield.148]

RIP Chief. You are missed....

[@tomg_2]

According to Chief Feehan’s numbers that’s 5 losses per year. 🙏🏻