Joe Falco: 9/11 FDNY Survivor

This is a documentary on Joe Falco, an FDNY firefighter who survived the collapse of the World Trade Center's South Tower. It was produced in Fall 2003 for my senior project at LIU Post. The segments were recorded at Freeport Excelsior Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 (aka Truck Company or Truck 1) on October 31, and at Ground Zero on November 7.

[@kingrocito2866]

Every September I watch all these videos. Never forget the 343

[@cindysurfer2080]

Yup. Me too. I figure it’s the least we can do to pay homage.

[@jolpenrose]

I do the same thing every year. Never forget!

[@keehret5181]

King Rocito I read a thing yesterday that there is a “fire brigade” that works with the fd one of them died and the nyfd doesn’t count him for some reason. I will always consider it 344.

[@jadeparker4606]

Me too! I’ve been watching loads of videos since last week it’s awful what they went through

[@blizzard1646]

Same here

[@JohnnyBopShop]

I just happened upon this video by accident. I was one of the firefighters with you pulling the brother out from under the ambulance. Glad to know you made it out, brother.

[@joerizoz1125]

Ed Wilmarth you ever hear from him?

[@chloekit4861]

Ed Wilmarth you were there that day?

[@mrbobsshow]

Never forget about the 343 firefighters lost that day But we also lost 71 Police officers please pray for them and their families also. Rest in peace to all of you

[@jadeparker4606]

This guy among with everyone else that served that day is a true hero! The fact that his night shift had ended and he was going home minutes later until he got that call to say what had happened! He still went out there! Incredible man!

[@shaynearakiel-stone3435]

Thank you for your service Firefighter Joe, I am so sorry you were so badly injured but I’m relieved to hear you made it out. 💙 343 💙

[@jackiemuir3117]

How any of these poor people went back to work is beyond me. The horrors they saw is unimaginable

[@debbieg8260]

maybe one of the most horrific accounts I have heard - the irony that the jumping (falling) bodies stops the firemen from doing their job. I could not imagine a more horrific scene in my life. These poor people, jumping instead of burning to death. For the first time I realized, it would have been better to have been in the airplane. quick sudden death. but to decide whether to burn to death or to jump - that will freakin haunt me forever.

[@nemgyuri]

Around 1300 ppl were trapped in the north tower above the impact (according to wikipedia), some of them could have been evacuated through the roof if the roof doors were not locked. There were choppers around the towers but no one could get out to the roof. 90% of the casualties in the towers were there.

[@primateproductions126]

I work for an airline. I will always remember the day after the attacks, I stood on the ground at the nose of a parked 767 airplane. From my vantage point, it gave me a perspective of how huge those airplanes were that crashed into those towers. And how horrific the destruction and loss of life on impact inside the towers must have been. 😞

[@jeanettegaff4931]

Shame on those who give a thumbs down for these heroes.

[@lasagnegurl167]

I live in Australia & I remember being at a friend's house & the news came on. I just stood there & cried at this evilness that claimed so much people's live & injured many also. I have been watching quite few videos of 9/11 in the last few weeks. Every video tells a story of incredible loss, injuries & recoveries. I will come to NYC one day & visit the memorial to pay my respects. I hope you have recovered enough to be at peace with your life & happy. I'm sorry that your people had to suffer such a terrible tragedy. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺❤️

[@MikeChimeri]

Thank you for your comment. By the way, I did not post your second comment that replied to FTS70. You misunderstood the comment, missing the "don't get into if" part. He was not saying it was an inside job.

[@janbadinski7126]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm an American in California.

[@TupacNation]

I'm in Australia and remember watching live on tv it was night time here about 11:00pm when the first live feed on tv started coming in I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I stayed up most of the night watching even though I had to get up very early for work but could not sleep. Still to this day I can't get some of those images out of my head. R.I.P to everyone who lost their lives to this despicable hatred and hope everyone effected is finding some sort of peace after all these years.

[@drkatel]

First, great job making this video as a student. When I hear first responders tell their stories I am blown away by the courage they all displayed that day. Absolute selflessness and true bravery. Bravo to Mr. Falco and his brothers!

[@GirlVinland]

He reminds me of my dad. Really feel for this man and hope he is doing okay today.

[@MikeChimeri]

He is doing well today.

[@GirlVinland]

Mike Chimeri So glad to hear that!

[@tomscott3]

I almost can't put into words the amount of respect I have for these people. Fire fighters are real heros.

[@themoneyscamtwelvevisionsp1869]

Firefighters of 9-11 Thank you

[@linrogers4326]

How could anyone get over this? All the firefighters that day went above and beyond. God bless them all.

[@dennisdreyer1439]

God bless you Mr. Falco. I cannot even begin to imagine the horrors you witnessed or the absolute terror you and other first responders experienced on that dreadful day. Heroes all and may we never forget them nor the deeds done.

[@dereknewbury163]

So much evil that day. Thank you for giving a voice to this brave and honest man

[@jimmydeats9901]

Wow... What a courageous, humble, exceptional human being he is. I hope to God that his injuries and his grief are improving with time.

[@andrewhall2416]

In my lifetime you will never ever see or witness a day like this ever again. The most evil act known to mankind. RIP to the fallen 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

[@Homeinspectorsny]

I was there for the after math it had a surreal look.Then you can just imagine what transpired that day.I listen to as many of these stories as possible.

[@iamshevanel]

3:56 You had to wait to see if the sky was clear of falling bodies of victims jumping from 110 story skyscrapers. Absolutely horrific.

[@debbieg8260]

that's what I thought - like OMG - watch for people jumping. OMG - I cannot imagine - the worse nightmare I could ever imagine

[@bradlevantis913]

Outstanding interview. We need more of these. Just the honest unedited recollections of the survivors.

[@jonathanjones3374]

Every 9/11 year i pray for all the people who lost there lives and i also pray for the people who have PTSD

[@torkadazali9922]

Jonathan Jones ❤❤❤✔

[@Sandy33569]

Jonathan Jones PTSD and all the other illnesses so many are suffering from since then. 😞

[@loriann3723]

Thumbs down people are most like conspiracy theorists but even if you are, those people still died and were affected.

[@heyman-ew2ss]

Lori Ann Patton some people think no one died that day. I pity the people who actually think that

[@usethetools]

I was spellbound listening to your experience... i felt like i was there...a cousin NYPD was on site and had to duck into a building to avoid the fallout and bodies... he had to go for therapy to deal with the sounds and sights and the trauma. One of my brothers from Long Island was asked to come in as he was a welder to cut and clear the steel...to facilitate the recovery... You can not help but think of all those people what they went through... what made them to decide to jump... all those young FDNY men, fathers, sons, brothers... their families suddenly without them... omG. I have relatives in both FDNY & NYPD and i lived on Welfare Island, now Franklin Roosevelt Island where i attended nursing school in 1966 overlooking Manhattan. The towers were not there then and i was upstate in the Catskill Mts caring for my parents when we saw the 2nd plane go into the building... I am glad to know you weren't killed and sorry for all those debilitating injuries... thank you for your service...Enjoy your family.

[@jillianfalco1044]

To this day I still cannot help but cry hearing stories about the horrors of that day. Thank you so much for your service 💙

[@Talkinsports91]

Are you related ?

[@40ounce58]

I don’t comment on videos but I listen to survivors accounts and I can’t fathom what they went through. To Mr : Falco you are a brave and hard core Fire Fighter. I’m glad you survived, and my heart goes out to your comrades and friends that you lost. And for all the families that they lost that worked in the towers. And for the families that had family members that were Police officers, Fire Fighters and First responders. God Bless You All.🙏

[@mrbobsshow]

This is one of those times you remember EXACTLY WHERE YOU WERE AND WHAT YOU WERE DOING. Thank you for these brave men and women who had to be at ground zero during and for all the time after. Nevermind the memory of what you did saw smelt ect God has a special place for you in heaven. And believe me you deserve it thank you all and may god keep you in his hands always. Also remember if you need help please go get it even almost 20 years later.

[@chrisquivers968]

I feel bad for the people who survived they're left with the painful memories of that day, you can heal all of the physical injuries but the mental pain and the memories stay with you! God Bless those who saved many, the families of the victims, and the survivors! 😔

[@sheilamiller2818]

Thank you. It's been many years and still i hear the loud thud of bodies hitting the ground. Walking over feet and hands everywhere but the worst memory was walking over a pregnant woman that hit the ground and her baby came out with cord still attached still has me seeing therapy.

[@razk1974]

SHEILA Miller omg. That’s a horrific image. That comment alone shook me.

[@brixxie27]

I am so sorry for your suffering. Thank you for being so brave. We will never forget.

[@wodzisz5]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's incredibly important these memories live on.

[@MultiRuthless]

Truly sorry everything was so bad. Your all heros

[@LenonMaldonanda]

Youre*

[@fingerfeller]

thank you, a great story of resilience

[@kd3nal72]

This hero is a legend 👏 💙

[@robertwilhelm2298]

The morning of 9/11 I was in Arizona student teaching at a high school. I know our part of the world was frozen that morning as we looked from the view of a camera lens. Still after all these years it seems like yesterday. I think for Joe Falco and others, it is good for them to describe to others just what they went through as a part of their coping mechanisms or healing process. Glad he was able to share.

[@rodneybailey1106]

Rest easy my 343+ brothers and sisters you are lost but never forgeten

[@aestheticchan9801]

😭😭🤗😭😭

[@mosesbaca7084]

The story about “Hey Boy” ☹️ so sad, I’d like to think it was his way on saying ... “I’m ok” before heading up with the angles to haven. 💕

[@harris1234100]

Your thinking is right! He is ok! We don't die!

[@speculizer1971]

Moses Baca yes, that is pretty neat.... I like to think it was a sign from his buddy whom loved him dearly giving him courage to fight!

[@wolfgangbecher4906]

That was and still is important work to do this kind of documentary, getting people's recollections as long as they are present and fresh. If there isn't a project running yet like that of Mr Spielberg regarding the accounts of Holocaust survivors, someone should start one for 9/11. Haven't done research yet, perhaps there is, I don't know.

[@carolplante]

Much respect to you and your brothers. Never forget🇺🇸

[@joepaccrakurii1227]

Firefighters are a strong breed. God bless you Joe

[@chrisbarr1359]

Excellent video. I'll never forget the 343, nor will I forget the hundreds that have died with WTC Related Illnesses. God Bless the FDNY!

[@xatreyudollx]

Thank you Mr. Chimeri and Mr. Falco for sharing such an important testimony. I hope more people could see this.

[@warlywarluts9526]

You sir, and all the first responders, helpers, just everyone that was involved in the rescue effort, are true heroes. Thank you for everything and I truly hope you lead a blessed life with much happiness and joy.

[@kathywolstenholme693]

Thank you for your service Joe Falco

[@anthonywhite9497]

God bless you Joe 😢💛🙏 RIP to the fallen ones ..❤

[@alisha.007]

Can’t imagine being in your shoes. Thank you for your service!

[@jillccoe]

That was an "A+" project, on such a difficult subject.

[@chloekit4861]

I’ll never forget that day I had just arrived into jfk airport from Las Vegas I remember flying around the city and seeing the WTC clearly just a few hours before the attack I was 17 a senior in Hewlett HS it was a nightmare a fellow classmate lost her father that day he was a firefighter

[@Minned]

D C2184 that’s an incredible story!

[@Amisraelcha1]

Hey Chloe i also went to Hewlett high school in the 5 towns, thanks for sharing your story

[@andrewenglish2901]

Hey mate. Your a real man. Sorry you had to go through ordeal.

[@Djsweepaman]

This guy is a tremendous hero, along with every other first responder. However, I can see the pain deep in his eyes. I feel as though he needs to speak to someone and release the things he's been holding inside.

[@chenellebeautytv]

I remember awhile back hearing a story about a firefighter dying from getting hit by a falling person...so sad.

[@molotovb]

Yeah. First firefighter casualty of the day.

[@millyv8787]

molotovb omg so sad

[@Augfordpdoggie]

his name was Father Michael Judge

[@Missditabomb]

Off the top of my head, the gentleman's name was SUHR.

[@wyomingadventures]

I had heard that shortly after it happened. Can't imagine how the other fire fighters felt standing by him. So where there is a fire fighter who talked about it. Said he was only feet away from that fireman who got hit. That had to worst thing to witness.

[@jnwd1723]

God bless you Mr. Falco and all those who went through that day. Much respect for all the bravery and kindness demonstrated to each person or hurting animal.

[@sandralahaie5569]

Thank you...We are so happy you are alive God Bless you..

[@RobertSmith-yq4wb]

My father,my father in law,two uncles and a cousin are or were firefighters.I worry everyday.

[@ErynRenee]

Watching it on TV in school was difficult to wrap my head around. It looked like a movie. When they said people were jumping, I kept trying to digest this. I knew thousands were dying on live television. I was 15. I didn't cry. I didn't understand the true horror, and part of me is grateful that I didn't see what they saw as a kid. It wasn't until social media and KZbin emerged when I realized the true carnage. I saw a video of the bodies obliterated on the ground, and for the first time I wept. I still weep. But, I think we all need to see those videos. I think we need to understand the emotional experience of the victims, the bystanders, the first responders, and the families of those who didn't make it out. We can't forget what happened and the courage of those who ran toward the buildings to help. And we should remember how we came together as a country and it brought out the best of us in the immediate aftermath. We shouldn't need another attack like this to bring us together and revive our humanity.

[@lisabolo26]

Sir: I'm from Freeport, and my parents still live there, near Pete Cattano. (I believe his brother was a Volunteer) So Proud!!

[@paulettelittle7500]

lisabolo26

[@michellemcmanus4976]

Thank you for your story. Had to be so hard to describe. Your a Hero

[@warrenchambers4819]

I worked for the county back then in the Fleet. We worked on all the Fire departments vehicles as well as the Sheriff departments. Rough day.

[@aviancag8716]

To god be the glory for your service.

[@pdubs7069]

God bless you bro for telling your story for im sure the 1 millionth time! The worst day ever!

[@freedomguard7822]

God Bless you Brother We will never forger 9-11

[@brennenjohnson7071]

19:05-19:07 is so true!!! When adrenaline overcomes you the impossible becomes POSSIBLE!!!

[@andrewconlow5627]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@tbahl40]

Thank you for sharing. Never forgotten.

[@strgazerlilly]

Thank you for what you did, and thank you for surviving to make sure that no one forgets. God bless you

[@epbro1]

Whoever disliked this video should be ashamed of himself.

[@janbadinski7126]

People like that don't feel shame.

[@wyomingadventures]

Just stupid idiots who don't believe the truth about planes hitting the towers.

[@paddyanglais91]

A true hero 🇺🇸

[@tanjagroen7368]

I still cry 😰😭🙏

[@minnesotasmith84]

Thank you for sharing Joe, it helps to understand. I hope sharing also helps you find some peace my friend.

[@torkadazali9922]

God bless u sir and to all those who survived and RIP to those who perished that day💞💞💕💕💘

[@kbjonesma]

No matter to the garbage surrounding why...Reality and true heroism is amazing. It was a job interview day. Oddest day ever. Went to interview. The entire building had maybe 5 people. Got the job, we walked out together and it was like the only 2 left in Houston. Surreal.

[@sherrielm6259]

very well put together! ty so much

[@MikeChimeri]

Thank you, Sherrie. I wouldn't have imagined 17 years ago that my college senior project would receive all this attention since I posted it here in 2016.

[@sherrielm6259]

@@MikeChimeri u r very welcome my friend!

[@ainelawlor5755]

Firefighters are the heroes God bless all that day

[@brt-jn7kg]

He will got to Heaven because he's already been to hell.

[@Sasan_Guitar]

Unreal, never forget, RIP, the FDNY stories are chilling, God Bless

[@karifredrikson3630]

God be w you in your healing.

[@playipstreamsolutions5538]

When everybody was going out they where going in knowing that death was waiting for them...real heroes

[@horselover7744]

Always remember the 343 🇺🇲🙏💗

[@66hoodwitch]

I've heard so many people saying "oh, how come the fire fighters didnt get there sooner ?! " ummm THIS is why! The debris and real people falling off the towers, killing more people, that's why! 🥺 Thank you, for all you did that day and continue doing ! God bless America, never forget 🙏

[@kate2create738]

Don't know who would question that the fire crew didn't get there soon enough because there were at least 300 firefighters that died that day, not including those whom were lucky to escape. Now why they had a hard time getting to the floors where the damage was at, falling debris is one of the factors, but just the first part of the challenge. The second challenge was not having access to elevators so they had to use the stairs going up while workers of the buildings were on their way down to evacuate. They had to get many citizens out of the two buildings too, and many of other citizens offered their help and support, that did slow some of it. Some fire crew helped a group of people stuck in the elevators that stopped when the towers were hit. There is also considering dragging the equipment up the stairs, which is heavy along with a huge amount of flights of stairs, the lowest level of where the fire was at was roughly at the 77th South Tower. That's not including trying to set up a base and find ways to evacuate citizens outside of the building too. So there was a lot to cover in little time, everything as against them yet they still fought through.

[@cincoy3679]

They saved 50.000. People are crazy

[@raquelarchuleta6430]

there were 1000 firefighters there by the time chief Phiffer arrived and the naudet brother that was filming him and his company that day was doing a doc on a proby firefighter that why the french guys were the only one with the first tower that got hit on camera because they were making the doc at that time. they went on a call with the chief for a smell of gas on a street about 5 blocks or more away from the trade center when all the fireman looked up because they heard a huge plane coming overhead and then slam into the tower . The french brothers are the only ones that have flight 11 slamming into the tower . they were only blocks away by the time the chief arrived at the towers there was a sea of firemen waiting for there orders watching people jump and seeing the fire 🔥 But All of them still went in . amazing all the responders went above and beyond God Bless each and everyone that made it out with there lives and also those who didn’t I pray you all rest in peace with the creator

[@amybraun7286]

HEROS!!!!! Every single one!!!!

[@angloengland559]

Heroes

[@stevelee4653]

My goe's out to you and your family. God Bless

[@timothycormier3494]

God bless you man!

[@gunofapreacherman1340]

The shameful, hate fuelled individuals who perpetrated this heinous crime, are the polar opposite of the courageous men and women who went into those burning buildings to save lives. I know whose side I’m on.

[@TupacNation]

Me too absolutely

[@hollifield877]

thank you Joe

[@freedomguard7822]

Strength & Honor !!

[@misscriss80]

Him calling out his daughters name 😥😭💔

[@joshx022]

Great job, great perspective.

[@peterkarv2845]

Crazy shit...i will never forget.

[@lowkiieky3694]

Great video. Thank you for your service..

[@ThunderAppeal]

9/11 Survivor. I worked in downtown Manhattan.

[@denisebrashears1552]

You were lucky! So was this guy telling his story however I heard too much of me me and I I. And trying to get him to tell the story is like pulling teeth. I would imagine, in fact maybe I can't, how horrific that day was... I was laying in the hospital when the news came up about the first Tower they got hit and a few minutes later in real time I watch the second plane hit. And it was like a movie. One of those movies that you can't possibly believe what happened in America. Or the US rather. You see a lot of this stuff zeroed in in New York City that are in the movies that have the Twin Towers involved in one way shape or form but you never believed it could happen... Until then. If I wasn't heard it I wouldn't have believed it until I saw it. God bless all who survived and may those rest in peace who didn't.

[@minnesotasmith84]

We need your recolections in writting

[@phillpidgeon8961]

could you imagine the images/videos that would of been captured from this day if drones were about back then like they are now. videos would of been so much worse

[@Computerguy-jx9wo]

Phill Pidgeon wow scary thought

[@W.A.T.P...55]

NEVER FORGET---NEVER FORGIVE 🇬🇧--🇺🇸

[@silentfades]

very touching ....

[@fanoflakespeed9460]

God bless the FDNY firefighters and families.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

what an incredible harrowing story

[@papalou7171]

Never Forget 🇺🇸

[@seriousorganizer]

sorry you had to experience that & all your injuries & seeing all the body parts & sorry about your friend "boy". You were "funny" when you said "well there's no light something has to be wrong".....you told your story well.....

[@evearcana2392]

I wonder how this man is doing today? Any update on him since this interview?

[@MikeChimeri]

He's doing well.

[@lyndseychapples3742]

god bless him xxxx