In Episode 430 of Mic’d In New Haven — The Best of The Bravest: Interviews with The FDNY’s Elite (Volume 91) — retired FDNY Assistant Chief Al Turi provides a remarkable firsthand account of the conversations taking place at the command post on September 11th, 2001.
As thousands of firefighters, police officers, and other first responders operated throughout the World Trade Center complex, FDNY commanders were attempting to understand an event unlike anything they had ever confronted.
Among those Turi remembers speaking with was legendary Special Operations Chief Ray Downey, as discussions turned toward a terrifying possibility: Could the towers actually collapse?
It was the type of scenario almost unimaginable before that morning, yet commanders had to assess it in real time while simultaneously managing one of the largest and most complicated emergency operations in New York City history.
Turi’s recollection offers a sobering glimpse into the decisions, uncertainty, and extraordinary responsibility carried by FDNY leadership in the final moments before the disaster became even more catastrophic.
A chilling piece of FDNY history — and another reminder of the experience and leadership of Chief Ray Downey and the many commanders lost that morning.
Outro Song: Goo Goo Dolls – Iris (1998)
VIEW INTERVIEW HERE:
Mike Colón Media 
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