First FDNY chief on scene reflects on September 11 attacks 

I have watched the various documentaries on 9/11 he was in as the hell unfolded and his calm and cool grace under extreme chaos is something I never tire of seeing. he is an outstanding public servant.

Chief Pfeifer, what you did that day is well-documented. I’ve watched it so many times. You and every other firefighter, police officer and paramedic were absolute heroes that day. You remained calm the entire time and did everything you possibly could to save lives. The world needs more men like you. God bless

He sounds like a truly remarkable man...quiet, measured..resolute...and uncommonly brave. We're still losing these guys to cancer..they must be looked after.

I remember you Joe. Thank you.

Your service will never be forgotten Joe, thank you!

This past June, I had the pleasure of meeting Pfeifer near his home in Breezy Point, Queens. I recognized him and I thanked him for his bravery and courage on that day. He was humble, gracious, and very kind. This man is a true hero and gentleman. I encourage you to read his book, “Ordinary Heroes” and watch the 2002 documentary “9/11.” Thank you, Chief Pfeifer for your service and dedication to protecting our city.

Joe has great compassion.

I remember him from an interview YEEEEARS ago! Glad he’s still here with us ❤ Thank you Joe

Joe has been there for the moments of the towers and also remembering that sorrow day unfolds.

Such a wonderful humble gentleman, we will never forget your service Chief Pfeiffer .

Such an incredible person. Whenever I hear him speak I am just in awe of him and how he carries himself with such grace. Thank you for all your service Chief Pfeifer.

This man Is the reason why everytime I see a Fire truck running my mind goes immidiatly to that day and I'm not even american! Never forget!

Like it was yesterday......how fortunate we are for the Naudet brothers doing that documentary. Chief....your voice was an amazing calm🇺🇲

Thank you for your service, Chief Pfeiffer.

You're an American hero, Joe. Thank you for saving lives.

Joe Pfeifer is a hero and will go down in history as a man who saved lives on the scariest day in NYC. So many more people could've died that day had he not coordinated the largest fire rescue in NYC history. 20 stories of a raging inferno burned in the north tower upon impact and everything above 74 was on fire in the south tower, each floor the size of a football field. on any given day there were about 50,000 people in those buildings and another 140,000 passing through the mall and streets below. Thank you Joe and to every single firefighter and first responder who went into that danger with the sole purpose of helping others that day.

Met Joe a few times and.... nothing but honors to this man NEVER FORGET 9/11 P.S. I was 4 1/2 when 9/11 happened

His biography is absolutely worth the read. It’s remarkable, too, how he (to me anyway) has channelled his shock and grief into just decades of dedication to improving the FDNY’s ability to respond to all incidents but particularly potential terrorism. My thoughts to him, all the first responders-including the dispatchers, and all those who put their life on the line that day, on yet another anniversary.

Joe Pfeifer is the sort of person who should be President of the USA. Dignified, articulate, humble, intelligent. I could go on and on ……

A very stunning person, I hope he gets to live many more years where he can pursue his dreams of teaching and writing. I don't think this a lot about people but Joe Pfeifer is one of those people I'd love to listen to in person.

God bless that man. The humility and the sincerity that he displays when recalling that day and all those memories. You can tell history left an immense mark on him.

I have immense respect for Joe Pfeifer, especially after listening to his memoir (which he narrates) and I just purchased the hardcover for my brother. A truly wonderful man.

God bless you Joe and your family. You are a good caring human being.

Joe has been in so many of these documentaries he's one of those guys that always pops up no matter what to tell the tale that needs to be told, stand up guy good man that Joe

God bless you Joe and your family

What a horrible thing to have to live with for all these years. Chief Pfeifer, thank you for doing what you could.

This man is a class act!!!

He's such a humble person - the world needs more people like him.

I still can’t believe so much time has passed - to me he’s still that guy with the mustache in his 40’s. It’s surreal that so much time has gone by.

A man who has always spoken with such dignity and grace about such a catastrophic day, both professionally and personally. And still aiming to keep people safe. Once a firefighter, always a firefighter.

Are there any recent clips of the other guys from the Naudet footage? I'd love to know how they are doing.

This humble, soft-spoken, professional fire officer and educator was, is, and will continue to be a top asset to the fire service and emergency management communities. His calm and professional manner in how he led efforts on 9/11 made a difference. I still shudder at the "what ifs" that potentially could have occurred had he not led initial fireground actions and those following the initial collapse. His work during Superstorm Sandy was exemplary and yet another stirring example of his coolness under pressure, his leaderdship skills and his calm, precise planning in the centre of a bullseye. He now begins the third act of his professional career, now as an educator. I wish him the very best as he picks up the mantle of a professor and offer my gratitude for his years of service and leadership.

3:59 "We don't ignore the pain, instead we give it purpose to bring about change, because without purpose, there can't be any hope, & without hope, there's no call to action" -Joe Pfeifer, FDNY Fire Chief

You will forever be a legend, thank you for all you have done. I will never forget you or all the souls who perished on 9/11. Best wishes to you and your family.

Ive watched the Naudet Brothers and others docu so much, I love that man like if he was my grandpa. ❤

Never Forget.

Thank you Chief for all your service. Our hearts ghosting you is so much what you gave that we cannot fathom in this world that speed. How about nice retirement? You will never be forgotten forever

My prayers go out to Joseph and his family, I pray for Kevin, father Michael, and all the rest who were lost that fateful and unforgettable day! May their memories stay alive, and may those who still live be blessed with peace and healing. And on they day they leave this earth, may they again be joined with their loved ones in God’s great kingdom!! In Jesus’ name, Amen! 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Joe Pfeifer. Thank you for your amazing service. We have not forgotten you.

Can’t even begin to imagine how much the weight of guilt must be on his shoulders having to send those firefighters up to the top of the tower to rescue people and most of them including his brother never came back down again must be hard for anyone in that job to have had to do that 😢

My love and respect to Joe.. always

😢I will never forget the face he made when he heard the South tower collapsed

Nice to see the Chief still looking and doing well.😊😊 Side note on 9/11 regarding Dr Sneha Ann Philip who was sort of controversially listed as the 2751st victim at Ground Zero. One of the questions was whether she rushed to the North Tower when the plane struck. We could agree to disagree on whether she was already inside the North Tower, perhaps on her way to Windows on the World, at the time of the crash. At the same time, if she turned up at the North Tower after the crash, the Chief and his immediate associates would almost certainly have seen her or remembered something about her. Video taken by the Jules Naudet documentary team that followed the Chief showed no one resembling Mdm Sneha. The documentary team also did not recall seeing someone like her. She was not a person of prominence at that place but considering her facial features, it would have been a bit more outstanding if she was at the ground lobby at the same time as the Chief.

Very glad this man is going to be teaching at two top universities. He knows better than anyone the lessons to be learned for the next generations. And what courage, knowing that their oath that day required them to bring out people who could be saved, but knowing also how dangerous the fire would be. No one expected the collapse. They did know it was bad. Heroes, all. Thank you, Chief Pfeifer.

This guy. ❤❤

"We don't ignore the pain; instead we give it purpose...to bring about change...because without purpose, there can't be any hope...and without hope there is no call to action."

Its scary when a man who was there, and afterwards knew what really happened that day, cant say the truth about who was really responsible for the attack, even after his brother died in it. No matter what, he was still a hero on that day.

This man is the definition of grace under pressure. He made all the right calls that day. God bless.

Joe is one of my heroes. I would love to meet him, and if he'd be willing, interview him.❤ i love his quote "Without hope, there is no call to action." Hope is what has kept me going my entire life..

Amazing interview. I've seen so many videos of Chief Joe Pfeifer over the years through the lense of documentaries and other media outlets. With so many NYPD & FYPD succumbing to their trauma through Physical and Mental Health, I'm glad to see him well and continuing to share the legacy of not only his own brother in blood but to all those who also perished on that day. Never Forget

There ALSO was NEVER the case where a FULLY FULED aircraft hit such buildings at around 600 mph!

NEVER FORGET

A new book! Outstanding Chief! I enjoyed Ordinary Heroes!

Also down there on 9/11 were WABC reporters NJ Burkett, Nina Pineda and Lauren Glassberg. They should be part of this coverage. And they should have been promoted. NJB is still a regular reporter. Pineda, at least, has a beat.

Joe is an extraordinary man.

I remember. 🙏♥️🙏

He’s such a lovely, gentle, brave & strong man. May he always flourish. Peace, and best wishes. 🫡🕊️🖤

Great interview, Bill!

A true gentleman, I remember him so well during 9/11 interviews and documentories whilst losing his own brother and his family of brothers. He is so humble too.

I love this guy he was one of the head fire chiefs during 9/11 and from all the docs I’ve watched that had footage of him is extraordinary. He is cool calm and collected the entire time. R I P to his younger brother who was a fireman and perished on that day.

8:12 thank you for this information. I needed to know this since now at the age of 33, 9/11 has inspired me to want to become a firefighter when still, I had no idea as to what I wanted to do in my life. Now, I want to give back to those who have sacrificed their lives in serving our communities. Again, thank you for all that you have done. You have my respect.

I wish I can meet this man and shake his hand. That day our hearts and souls were shattered. Every year I relive this it hurts as it was the first time watching it all unfold on tv, in Brownsville, Tx. Many respects to all the brave men and women who risked their lives to help others.

A true HERO in every sense of the word… glad to see he is doing well in 2024. Blessings to you, Chief Pfeifer. ❤

He's still alive! I read in YT comments that he had died! This makes me so happy. Chief Pfeifer is a kind and gentle man with the heart of a strong lion. I will always remember his courage. Also I had no idea we've lost 360+ more first responders since 9/11... My heart. 😢

This man had to make decisions that no person should have to. I cant imagine the emotional burden he's had to deal with

Very very sad but this documentary was beautifully presented I hope nothing ever happens like that again God bless all the soldiers that died in that terrorist attack😢

this man was incredible and at that time, two film makers were following his squad to document a new fire fighters journey. then, 9/11 happened. this man led the his firefighters without hesitation, started a command center immediately when he entered the lobby of tower 1. he’s a humble man. great leader.

JP is a class act! Nobody can ever deny that.

This man is 100% gentleman, leader, hero, FNY Fire Chief. He has a way about him that if asked I would do what he asked also !! Thank you so much for who and what you are !!! Never Ever Forget 🇺🇸❤️💯👨‍🚒🥀👩‍✈️🥀🙏

I have a lot of respect for him and I remember seeing him in documentaries as well. God bless you for your years of service and may someone fill your big shoes

That was a terrible tragedy God bless each one of these people

Wow I remember cheif younger ❤

Please bill ,let the man talk... and stop trying to trigger a emotions by talking only about is brother.... Bad taste of question in my opinion . Joe you are a Hero even if you dont want to here it . We will Never Forget.

Que Deus continue abençoando sua vida e família sempre 🙏

Reading his book now… what a phenomenal man!

Wonderful man speaks brilliantly in all the documentaries I've seen 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

God bless him his family and all the victims.❤️

Big mistake by this new administration for not keeping Chief Pfeifer around. He should have been appointed as the FDNY Commissioner to lead the Department with his wealth of knowledge.

Great Chief and I Good Leader!!! Thank You Chief!

It's a long shot but does he have a social media presence? He'd be a fascinating person to follow and keep tabs on. Such a humble, soft-spoken individual who's gave so much. I wish him the best in his life of retirement and teaching.

his brother not only "went" in.....he sent his brother in.

I’m watching this on 9/11/24 and a uk citizen who remembers that horrific day, the chief and his brother are examples of the good of the human race 🙏

Im curious if Joe met NJ. Both were near or at the site during the first collapse

I live in Illinois and at 10 I just got dropped off to school right before the first plane hit the north tower so I had no clue what was going until 3:00 in the afternoon nobody told us anything during school

Its like it was yesterday. We feel your pain always Americans thinking of you all. Such a true Gentleman Joe you did your duty far and behond. God bless you all.🇬🇧

People SHOULD learn to be kind and help each other, but sadly there are people who are truly wicked. Some hearts are so hardened that they cannot be redeemed. I am not the judge of those individuals. But people who have hearts that only want to kill should be removed from society for the protection of innocents. Not everyone responds to kindness with kindness.

Bill Ritter, I appreciate your attempt at empathy but it’s just not coming across. I truly believe you have to be in this man’s shoes to feel his pain. Sigh……as in most nightmarish situations We! Just can’t possibly understand the pain. Please word your questions so as not to cause more pain for this man.

Love that guy! Thank you, Joe.

Chief Pfeiffer called it right, he told FDNY dispatch it appeared to be intentional and the scene should be treated as a possible terror attack ..before he even got inside. A lot of credit should go to him, and if that had been taken for fact by FDNY, maybe that could have resulted in the evacuation of the other tower. He did the best anyone could, but credit to Chief Pfeiffer foe his accurate radio call on what was unfolding.

This.. without purpose, or hope.. what is there ?

KNEW A BANK MANAGER HERE IN CONNECTICUT WHO HAD A FRIEND ON AMERICAN 11

Hats off to you Chief Pfeifer.

I was at Daycare on 9/11/2001 my teacher's husband called and said the North and South Towers were hit I was 3 years old and 7 months

I can’t say enough except thank you what you did 23 years ago you’ll always be a hero and your firefighters and fallen brothers and your brother would be so proud of you and I know he’s watching over you every single day I send you my love and gratitude I can’t say enough I lost someone on the 97th Floor on the north tower and I miss her beautiful smile but I’m. More appreciated by the FDNY fire fighters of Brooklyn New York they sent me a job coat back in 2002 I still have it it’s the one president George bush had on at Yankee stadium in 2001 and it’s my. Most treasured gif by the FDNY.

Thank you for all you did that day and afterwards. It is 9/1/2024 now and the very same thing could happen at any time. I was home from work that day, watching Good Morning America when the special report broke through about the attacks on our Country. I was watching Charlie Gibson, Diane Sauyer, and Peter Jennings. The firefighters did their job they were trained to do, which is fighting fire and saving survivors. More research and rescue people lost their lives that day. They all showed such bravery.🇺🇸❤️😢

I talked to Al Haynes of UA232 That crashed in Sioux City Iowa about using the fuel transfer system to change the aircraft’s center of gravity. This was after he talked about the interactions with both United and Boeing emergency operations center. Apparently no one actually considered this option. Just like no one actually realized that rescue from the upper floors of the towers was futile.

What a lovely man. No anger no hate ❤ God bless All those involved. Global change is the answer.

Of the countless videos of that horrific day, this man seems to be the first person who speculated that it looked like the plane was “aiming towards the building” following the American flight 11s impact with WTC1. It’s always stuck with me cause I don’t remember anyone else making such claims after the first impact

Chieff Pfifer my man

❤❤❤❤