Stories of survival & loss at Ground Zero

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, David Bianculli hosts a special episode of Fresh Air, featuring harrowing accounts from those who experienced the tragedy firsthand. The episode includes interviews with former Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department, retired New York City Firefighter Ken Haskel, writer and former New York City Firefighter Dennis Smith, poet Sekou Sundiata, former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, and legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins. These individuals share their experiences, reflections, and the profound impact of that day.

The Immediate Aftermath and a Heroic Rescue

Former Deputy Chief Jay Jonas of the New York City Fire Department recounts his experience leading his men up the stairs of the North Tower on 9/11. After the South Tower collapsed, they began heading back down, fearing the North Tower would follow. On their descent, they encountered Josephine Harris, a woman struggling to walk. Despite the immense danger and the knowledge that the building was on the verge of collapse, Chief Jonas made the difficult decision to stop and rescue her. He describes the internal conflict, where every fiber of his being screamed to evacuate, but the firefighter's culture of saving lives prevailed. They carried Ms. Harris down 27 flights of stairs, eventually reaching the 4th floor where she could no longer support her own weight. They searched for a sturdy chair but found none, forcing them to drag her down the remaining stairs. Just as they reached the stairway on the 4th floor, the North Tower began to collapse.