The Last Firefighter of 9/11’s Ten House Remains on Duty After 25 Years

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — A New York City firehouse across from the World Trade Center has become a significant site for visitors to the 9/11 memorial. For over two decades, it has stood as a symbol of resilience and remembrance.

On September 11, 2001, firefighter Sal Argano narrowly avoided tragedy when he was temporarily assigned to a different unit in Brooklyn instead of his usual station, which was directly across from the Twin Towers. He returned to find his firehouse damaged but intact, later learning that six of his colleagues had perished in the attacks.

Now 65, Argano remains the sole original firefighter from that day still working at the station. The firehouse, known as Ten House, serves not only as a response center but also as a popular destination for tourists seeking to honor the victims of 9/11. It is home to Engine 10 and Ladder 10, iconic vehicles that have become part of the memorial landscape.

Captain Terence Brody, who joined the station in 2016, recalls the chaos of 9/11 as a cadet and the role the firehouse played in the aftermath. Robert Favata, who started with Ladder 10 in 2008, reflects on the transformation of the area around the memorial, noting how much has changed since the attack.

Argano, often seen greeting visitors, emphasizes the unique responsibility of the station’s crew to represent the FDNY while preserving the memory of 9/11. He acknowledges the challenges of balancing public engagement with daily duties, especially with younger firefighters who sometimes prefer to stay out of the spotlight.

As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, several firefighters, including Brody, are preparing for retirement. Argano, however, remains committed to sharing the history of Ten House, fearing that without those who lived through the events, an essential piece of history could be lost.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)