What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

189: one September morning: Tim

37 snips

Sep 13, 2024

Listeners hear a firefighter's gripping account of his day managing chaos during the 9/11 attacks. He reflects on the emotional farewells, the trauma of loss, and acts of bravery amidst destruction. The camaraderie among first responders shines through as they navigate overwhelming danger. Stories of survival and resilience capture the profound impact of that tragic day, emphasizing community support and remembrance. The personal journey of coping with loss adds a heartfelt layer to the narrative.

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ANECDOTE

First Plane Impact

Tim Brown was having breakfast in the World Trade Center when the first plane hit.
He initially thought it was a smaller plane crash, not an intentional attack.

ANECDOTE

Survivor Staircase

Tim Brown ascended the survivor staircase to assess the situation outside.
He describes the scene as looking like "Armageddon."

ANECDOTE

Encounter with Chris Blackwell

Tim encountered his close friend and fellow firefighter, Chris Blackwell.
They shared a traditional greeting, a kiss on the lips, before Chris went up into the tower.

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Every September, here on the podcast we feature a guest who has a personal experience with 9/11.

Most people remember exactly where they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, when terrorists struck the US using hijacked airplanes. It was a dark day for this country.

This month, What Was That Like is publishing a 3-part series titled one September morning. In each episode, you’ll hear someone telling their personal story about what they experienced on that day. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode.

Today, in the second episode of the series, we’ll hear from Tim.

Tim was a New York City firefighter for 18 years, and when 9/11 happened, he was working for Mayor Giuliani, handling major emergencies. So when those planes hit the towers, Tim wasn’t just someone who happened to be on the scene. He was one of those actually in charge. The things he saw that day make his story one of the most compelling ones I’ve had on this podcast. He originally told this story here a few years ago, and it’s one of the most popular episodes on the show. And after you listen, I’d love to hear what YOU think of it.

9/11 video – escaping debris: https://youtu.be/TlBTyI71FMw

Full show notes and pictures for this episode are here:

https://WhatWasThatLike.com/189

Graphics for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai.

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