Actor Denis Leary was unloading hockey gear at Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers for a morning game when United Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The devastating scene, which saw the rink transformed into a temporary morgue, profoundly impacted Leary and became a significant catalyst for his acclaimed TV series “Rescue Me.”
Leary, then 69, and his hockey teammates had a direct view of the unfolding destruction from the West Side Highway. He described witnessing an “endless flow” of dust-covered, cut-up corporate workers fleeing uptown for hours, recalling the unsettling sound of the collapsing buildings as something that “goes into your bones.”
At the time, Leary was unaware that his friend, Garnet “Ace” Bailey of the NHL’s Bruins, was a passenger on United Flight 175, which had departed from Boston’s Logan Airport. Leary had already felt the profound loss of firefighter friends from the FDNY who did not survive the attacks. The news of Bailey's death the following day amplified the sense of disbelief and tragedy.
Leary’s ties to New York’s Bravest ran deep. His cousin, Jeremiah Lucey, a Worcester, Mass., firefighter, was one of six responders killed in a 1999 warehouse fire. Members of the FDNY had assisted in the search of the ruins at that time. Further compounding the tragedy, FDNY Lt. Tim Higgins, an early supporter of Leary's foundation, was among the 343 FDNY members killed on 9/11.
From Pain to Purpose
Leary quickly decided to channel his grief into action. He founded the Leary Firefighters Foundation in 2000. He spent time with survivors in their firehouses during the months following 9/11, witnessing their profound grief as they sifted through the rubble, an experience he shared with writer Peter Tolan.
Tolan had witnessed the carnage firsthand while filming a project in New Jersey. The pair initially considered a film about a firefighter killed in the line of duty. However, a pivotal moment in the aftermath of 9/11 shifted their focus. Witnessing a firefighter overcome with grief after recovering a piece of a friend from "The Pile," followed by a moment of shared laughter in the firehouse kitchen, illuminated the complex emotional landscape they wanted to explore.
"We’re going to make a show where people are on the edge of their seat watching an action sequence involving fire," Leary recalled thinking. "And then the next minute they’re crying because they’re so sad, and then the minute after that, they’re laughing their asses off."
Crafting 'Rescue Me'
Premiering in 2004, the FX hit show centered on the character of Tommy Gavin, an alcoholic firefighter grappling with the death of his cousin, whose only remains found at Ground Zero was a finger. The series expertly blended raw tragedy with sharp, often politically incorrect humor.
"Rescue Me" explored the cathartic, irreverent conversations within firehouses, featuring characters like Lt. “Lou” Ken Shea and the rookie Mike Silletti. The show also delved into themes of conspiracy theories through firefighter Franco Rivera and depicted the heartbreaking cancer diagnosis of Sean Garrity.
Real-life stories from FDNY members and firefighting consultants provided ample material for the show. Leary noted that the ideas for dramatic scenes and comedic moments largely stemmed from the firefighters’ own experiences.
Younger firefighters, many of whom were rapidly promoted due to the heavy losses on 9/11, reportedly embraced the show's authentic portrayal of firehouse life. Older officers, Leary recounted, sometimes remarked that the show revealed too many of their "secrets."
A Lasting Impact
The resonance of "Rescue Me" extended beyond the fire department. While filming in the Rockaways, an area that had lost many residents on 9/11, cast and crew observed residents watching the filming from their homes. Actor John Scurti recalled that many families and widows expressed their appreciation for the show, feeling it cast a positive light on the FDNY.
Scurti, who wrote four episodes, observed that opportunities to hear the stories of everyday New Yorkers were abundant in the post-9/11 era. He noted that stories were readily shared, even in casual settings like delis.
"Rescue Me" continues to have a healing effect. Scurti shared an anecdote about a former detective who recently told him how he and his son had discovered the show and were finding solace in watching it.
Leary’s foundation continues its support for firefighters, including an annual charity event where participants can experience being a firefighter for a day. Leary stated that many first responders and military personnel still tell him how the show helped them process their experiences and that they continue to rewatch it for that purpose.