Blog | Better Angels

Firefighter Jeffrey Walz

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

The final member of Ladder 9 to list is Jeffrey Walz, a 37-year-old firefighter who left a career in engineering to follow his father into the fire service. He met his wife when his unit was called to a rowdy Halloween party where she was dressed as a Dalmatian. Once told they couldn’t have children, their “miracle” child – just three on 9/11 received the full attention of his father every Thursday (his day off) when they would go together to the zoo or a baseball game or the park. He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Jeffrey Walz, Ladder Co. 9, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter John Tierney

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

27-year-old John Tierney was still a probie in the FDNY, having graduated the academy only in July. That morning he had just finished his shift when the call came in. He was told he didn’t need to respond, but he insisted, riding on the lap of another firefighter for the short ride to the WTC because there was no other space on the truck. For the past 18 months, he’d been learning to play the guitar, practicing until he had blisters. He especially favored Dylan and the Beatles.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, John Tierney, Ladder Co. 9, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Gerard Baptiste

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Gerard Baptiste was called “Biscuit” for his habit of carrying dog treats in this pockets for the neighborhood dogs who walked by the station. They were a great conversation starter for whoever was on the other end of the leash. He surely had some in his pockets on 9/11.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Gerard Baptiste, Ladder Co. 9, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Keithroy Maynard

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Keithroy Maynard was recruited to the department by his father, a firefighter of 36 years. Keith soon joined the Vulcan Society, an organization of black firefighters. He made it his mission to help bring more black firefighters into the FDNY. “People do look to you,” he said. “You’re like a role model.” His inspiration extended to his beloved 6-year-old son, Keithroy Jr., perhaps another firefighter in the making.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 33, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Keithroy Maynard, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | 1 Comment

Firefighter Robert King, Jr.

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Firefighter Robert King, Jr., was a father of three. A master carpenter in his spare time, he loved making furniture including bunk beds for his boys, deck chairs to give as gifts, and “a beautiful trestle table for his firehouse which the men eat on every day.”

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 33, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Robert King Jr, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Robert Evans

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

His sense of humor earned Robert Evans the nickname of “Jerry Lewis” at Engine Company 33. This 36-year-old had been in the FDNY for 7 years on 9/11. His mother wrote that his parting words to everyone were always “If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.” Unfortunately his well-dimpled smile does not show up in his portrait.

Firefighter Michael Boyle

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Like his close friend David Arce, Firefighter Michael Boyle had just finished the night shift when the alarms rang and he jumped on the truck to ride in “heavy.” A 37-year-old champion marathoner, he followed his father into the FDNY, and also into the Uniformed Firefighter Assn, where he focused on projects improving the safety of firefighters.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 33, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, Michael Boyle, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter David Arce

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

David Arce, 36, was nicknamed “Buddha” “because of his strong belief that his purpose in life was to aid and serve.” He had just finished his night shift that morning but accompanied his best friend Michael Boyle in responding to the alarm. His mother would later find old letters to Santa written by poor children in his apartment. For years Firefighter Arce had purchased the toys they asked for and delivered them to their doors.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, David Arce, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 33, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Lt. Kevin Pfeifer

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

In the documentary “9/11,” filmed by the French Naudet brothers, the men of Engine 33 can be seen in the lobby of the North Tower. The Battalion Chief in the North Tower is Joseph Pfeifer, brother to Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer who is leading Engine 33. They nod to one another as Engine 33 enters a stairwell to begin their ascent to the higher floors. Joseph thought his brother Kevin and Engine 33 were around the 40^th floor when the South Tower collapsed. Hearing the evacuation order, they began their descent. Around the 10^th floor it was necessary to change stairwells because the one they were on was blocked. Kevin Pfeifer directed the men of Engine 7 to the open stairwell and he and his men were presumably behind them on their way out. Engine 7 made it out to safety no more than 30 seconds before the second collapse. Lt. Pfeifer and five other firefighters from Engine 33 weren’t so lucky.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Engine Co. 33, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Lt. Kevin Pfeifer, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, World Trade Center, WTC | 1 Comment

Firefighter Steven Olson

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Dawn Siebel

Steven Olson was nicknamed “The Rock” by Ladder 3. “If you were in trouble, he was coming to get you,” a fellow firefighter wrote. This 12-year veteran is the 11th and final member of Ladder Company 3 to be added to this list.

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Ladder Co. 3, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Steven Olson, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment