By Gerald “Jerry” Sanford and Chris Griffith
Retired FDNY Firefighter Shares Remarkable Story About the Day Before 9/11, His Volunteer Work During the Tragedy’s Aftermath, and the Helmet that Brought Him There
As the nation approaches the 20th anniversary of 9/11, many Americans reflect on their experiences in the wake of this national tragedy and document them for generations to come. “It Started with a Helmet: A Retired Firefighter’s Return to New York City the Day Before 9/11,” by retired FDNY firefighter Gerald “Jerry” Sanford and Chris Griffith, shares the true gripping account of Sanford’s selfless contributions while volunteering with the FDNY during the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
In his memoir, Sanford reminiscences on his earlier years working for the NYPD and his 29-year career with the FDNY, including his time as their press secretary that had him working alongside major New York political figures such as Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor David Dinkins. Upon his retirement, Sanford moved to Naples, Fla., but quickly grew restless and found himself working at the North Naples Fire Control and Rescue District.
In this role, he came across an early 1900s antique leather fire helmet, which ultimately became the catalyst that led him back to New York City the day before 9/11. Sanford instantly knew the helmet was from a firehouse in the Bronx, Ladder 42, and contacted his former boss, Commissioner Tom Von Essen, about presenting the station with this historical keepsake. However, Ladder 42 was being renovated at the time, so Von Essen suggested waiting until it was over at the end of Summer 2001, ultimately scheduling the presentation ceremony for September 10th, 2001. Sanford vividly recalls the events of the helmet presentation as well as the firefighters and people in attendance, including those who tragically lost their lives the next day, such as Father Judge and the chief of the department, Pete Ganci. Unbeknownst to Sanford and his traveling companions as they headed back to Florida the next day, the terrorist attacks were already underway when they landed for a plane change in Pittsburgh and saw the horrific events unfolding live on the televisions in the airport. Sanford eventually made it home, but he quickly decided he needed to be back in New York City.
He volunteered to serve the FDNY in one of his former roles as press secretary. With the city in ruins and the fire department in disarray after losing 343 brave men that day, Sanford quickly got to work on the grim tasks of planning and attending funerals of his friends and brothers while also trying to organize the chaos. One task that had a bright side to it was when Sanford helped to arrange an on-camera meet and greet with fire Captain Jay Jonas and President George W. Bush as Jonas had famously helped an elderly woman down the stairs after her legs gave out and then miraculously survived in what remained of the stairwell when the tower collapsed. They were eventually rescued together from the rubble, which the news called the “Miracle of Stairwell B”. “It Started with a Helmet” is a powerful memoir that twines Sanford’s rare ground-level perspective with important historical information that serves to educate the public and keep those who tragically lost their lives in the minds of generations to come. Sanford’s book also shares his experience battling lung cancer – an aftereffect many surviving 9/11 first responders have battled– as well as his continuing work to honor those who died by helping to establish the Freedom Memorial in Naples, Fla. To learn more, please visit www.itstartedwithahelmet.com.
