Steve Buscemi Opens Up About The Trauma He Faced Returning To Work At The FDNY On 9/11

The tragic events of September 11th, 2001, which resulted in nearly 3,000 casualties and left around 25,000 people injured, have left an enduring mark on American history. The memory of this day is commemorated annually, serving as a poignant reminder of the remarkable resilience displayed by the American people and the ongoing struggle against terrorism. Despite the devastation wrought by the attacks, numerous heroic first responders, including actor Steve Buscemi, a retired firefighter, selflessly risked their lives to provide aid to the victims of the tragedy.

Buscemi, who had previously quit firefighting to pursue a career in Hollywood, featuring in popular films like Reservoir Dogs (1992), Con Air (1997), and Armageddon (1998), took up his firefighter’s gear once again and teamed up with other members of the emergency team in the rescue search for survivors of the 9/11 attacks.

Steve Buscemi volunteered to help in the search and rescue operation of victims of the 9/11 attacks

In a previous interview on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast in 2021, the 65-year-old shared insights into his involvement and experiences as a member of the search and rescue team at the site of the catastrophic event. He revealed that he joined the team so as to contribute his quota as a veteran to the search and rescue efforts.

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“I just didn’t have any information, I kept calling the firehouse the day before, and of course, there was no answer. Because I knew that they would be [at the site]. And then, I eventually learned that five of them were missing. One of them was a good friend of mine I used to work with,” Buscemi confessed. “I was driven to the site that day, walked around for hours, and then found my company, found Engine 55 working there. I asked if I could join them. I could tell they were a little suspicious at first, but I worked with them that day.”

He admits the memory of the rescue operation affects him to this day

Buscemi candidly shared that his unwavering commitment to the people of New York did not come without its emotional and physical toll. “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. I was depressed, I was anxious, I couldn’t make a simple decision,” he noted. “All those things, It’s still with me. There are times when I talk about 9/11 and I’m right back there. I start to get choked up and I realize, ah, this is still a big part of me.”

However, despite struggling with post-traumatic stress from the aftermath of the events, the 65-year-old actor expressed profound gratitude for his role as a member of the team during the challenging period. “It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside,” Buscemi added. “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.”