UPDATED 9/11/2024
23 years ago, on 9/11/2001, tragedy struck on U.S. soil. The World Trade Center towers became the target of terrorism, and as a result, it claimed thousands of lives. This includes both innocent civilians and first responders. One of those first responders who helped to search for survivors during the aftermath was actor Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi worked 12-hour shifts along with other firefighters that day, searching for anyone who could possibly still be alive underneath all that rubble and debris. Buscemi had taken the FDNY civil service test when he was 18 and would work as an FDNY firefighter in downtown Manhattan in the ’80s. Now, in 2001, he was returning to his old stomping grounds.
Steve Buscemi was a NY firefighter in the ’80s
Buscemi would later leave the services to pursue acting, but he never strayed away from engaging in New York firefighter causes. At the time, during the efforts of the rescue, he said: “It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much.”
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Back in 2013, the Brotherhood of Fire Facebook page went on to remind everyone of Buscemi’s efforts and contributions during that time. “Do you recognise this man? Do you know his name? Lots of people know he’s an actor, and that his name is Steve Buscemi. What very few people realise is that he was once one of New York’s Bravest,” the post says of Buscemi.
There are little to no photos of Buscemi during this time because he did not want the publicity
At 18 years old, Steve Buscemi took the FDNY civil service exam in 1976. By 1980, he had joined the ranks as a firefighter with Engine Company 55 in Manhattan’s Little Italy, one of the busiest firehouses in the city. He served with the department for four years before transitioning to his career in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and director.
Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Buscemi quietly returned to his old firehouse. Starting on September 12, he worked 12-hour shifts for several days alongside his fellow firefighters, searching through the wreckage of the World Trade Center for survivors. He avoided media attention, requesting no photographs or interviews, as his sole focus was to assist, not to gain publicity.
“I was only there for like five days, but when I stopped going and tried to just live my life again, it was really, really hard,” Buscemi says about going back to civilian life following the tragic events that took place. “There are times when I talk about 9/11 and I’m right back there,” he adds. “I start to get choked up and I realize, ‘Ah, this is still a big part of me.’”
Looking back on his efforts that day, Buscemi said, “It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much.”
During the 9/11 terror attacks, 343 firefighters gave their lives protecting and rescuing others. Rest in peace to all the lives lost on that tragic day.
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