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to one of the first fire chiefs to arrive, such a scenario was unimaginable,"beyond
our consciousness."As a result of the announcement, many civilians remained on
their floors. Others reversed their evacuation and went back up.
46
Similar advice was given in person by security officials in both the ground-
floor lobby--where a group of 20 that had descended by the elevators was per-
sonally instructed to go back upstairs--and in the upper sky lobby, where many
waited for express elevators to take them down. Security officials who gave this
advice were not part of the fire safety staff.
47
Several South Tower occupants called the Port Authority police desk in 5
WTC. Some were advised to stand by for further instructions; others were
strongly advised to leave.
48
It is not known whether the order by the FDNY to evacuate the South
Tower was received by the deputy fire safety director making announcements
there. However, at approximately 9:02--less than a minute before the building
was hit--an instruction over the South Tower's public-address system advised
civilians, generally, that they could begin an orderly evacuation if conditions
warranted. Like the earlier advice to remain in place, it did not correspond to
any prewritten emergency instruction.
49
FDNY Initial Response
Mobilization.
The FDNY response began within five seconds of the crash.
By 9:00, many senior FDNY leaders, including 7 of the 11 most highly ranked
chiefs in the department, as well as the Commissioner and many of his deputies
and assistants, had begun responding from headquarters in Brooklyn.While en
route over the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chief of Department and the Chief of
Operations had a clear view of the situation on the upper floors of the North
Tower.They determined that because of the fire's magnitude and location near
the top of the building, their mission would be primarily one of rescue.They
called for a fifth alarm, which would bring additional engine and ladder com-
panies, as well as for two more elite rescue units. The Chief of Department
arrived at about 9:00; general FDNY Incident Command was transferred to
his location on the West Side Highway. In all, 22 of the 32 senior chiefs and
commissioners arrived at the WTC before 10:00.
50
As of 9:00, the units that were dispatched (including senior chiefs respond-
ing to headquarters) included approximately 235 firefighters.These units con-
sisted of 21 engine companies, nine ladder companies, four of the department's
elite rescue teams, the department's single Hazmat team, two of the city's elite
squad companies, and support staff. In addition, at 8:53 nine Brooklyn units
were staged on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to await pos-
sible dispatch orders.
51
Operations.
A battalion chief and two ladder and two engine companies
arrived at the North Tower at approximately 8:52. As they entered the lobby,
they encountered badly burned civilians who had been caught in the path of
HEROISM AND HORROR
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