Nearly 25 years after surviving the collapse of the World Trade Center's North Tower, New York City firefighter Peter Fallucca has issued a solemn warning about America's fading patriotism and a potential resurgence of the dangers that led to the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Fallucca, a member of Engine 16, was en route to the World Trade Center on that clear September morning when the first plane struck. He arrived as the second plane hit the South Tower, and subsequently entered the North Tower with his unit, carrying hoses and air tanks. He was on the 23rd floor when the building violently shook, forcing an evacuation. He escaped minutes before the North Tower collapsed, a near-miss he credits with allowing him to live a life that has included becoming a grandfather.
"It could happen again," Fallucca stated, reflecting on the events that have shaped his life and the nation's response. He observed that the surge of patriotism following the attacks, marked by American flags displayed on nearly every home, has waned. "Now, today, [if you have] an American flag, people think you’re racist or you’re something. So it’s almost looked down upon to be a patriot."
He recounted the terrifying moments of the attack, from hearing the first plane roar over his firehouse to witnessing the office paper cascade from the damaged tower. Inside the North Tower, his crew ascended the stairwell alongside evacuating office workers. "The stairwell was shoulder to shoulder," he said. Civilians handed them water bottles, offering support as they moved upward.
Upon reaching around the 23rd floor, an order to evacuate was heard over the radio. Amid confusion about whether the order applied to civilian personnel or first responders, Fallucca began his descent. He and a probationary firefighter searched offices, unaware that the South Tower had already collapsed. They reached the lobby to find it deserted, a stark contrast to the earlier activity.
Fallucca waited in the lobby for his lieutenant, Mickey Cross, who had continued upwards. When a fellow firefighter needed assistance carrying a wounded woman to safety, Fallucca reluctantly left his post. This decision to help move the woman across the West Side Highway and into an ambulance moments before the North Tower fell ultimately saved his life.
Engulfed by the debris cloud, Fallucca took shelter in Stuyvesant High School, contemplating the attack on the nation and the safety of his young daughters. Fire chiefs initially prevented survivors from returning to Ground Zero, citing safety concerns and the arrival of fresh crews.
Fallucca returned to Ground Zero for months, working shifts searching for survivors amidst the wreckage. The experience left him with lasting health issues, including asthma, acid reflux, and sleep apnea, which he attributes to his time at Ground Zero. He retired in 2024.
Fallucca also reflected on the small chain of decisions that led to his survival and that of his unit, Engine 16, calling them "miracles." He worries that the phrase "never forget" has lost its meaning and that the unity displayed in the aftermath of 9/11 has faded. The life he has lived since, including seeing his children grow and meeting his grandchildren, he stated, has been made immeasurably precious by the experiences of that day, acknowledging that many others did not have the same opportunity.