Few people now remember the brave actions of Hollywood mega-star Steve Buscemi 19 years on from the tragic events of September 11th 2001.
On that day, Buscemi joined the New York Fire Department and made his way to ground zero to help dig survivors from the rubble and put out the inferno that continued to burn for weeks. Day after day, he worked 12 hour shifts, carrying out the grim task of trawling for survivors. Very few sadly made it.
Buscemi had trained and qualified as a firefighter aged just 18, long before he had reached the stardom that his acting would later provide. Throughout his career, he had maintained close ties with the fire service, speaking out on behalf of firefighter's causes. When disaster struck, he knew he had to immediately join the team and do whatever he could to help save lives.
343 Firefighters lost their lives on 9/11, many as they sought to evacuate the buildings before their eventual collapse. They comprised over 10% of the total fatalities on that tragic day.
Buscemi, who has stared in Fargo, Reservoir Dogs Con Air and Boardwalk Empire, has refused all interviews since that time, stating that he was just one of many that did all they could for the good of others. The only statement he has ever made said:
"It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn't really think about it as much, feel it as much."
His story gained prominence after a viral post by the Brotherhood of Fire Facebook in 2013. The post stated:
"Do you recognise this man? Do you know his name? Lots of people know he's an actor, and that his name is Steve Buscemi. What very few people realise is that he was once one of New York's Bravest.
In 1976 Steve Buscemi took the FDNY civil service test when he was just 18 years old. In 1980 Steve Buscemi became a New York City Firefighters. For four years, Buscemi served on one of FDNY's busiest, Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan's Little Italy. He later left the fire service to become a successful actor, writer and director.
After 9/11/2001... Brother Buscemi returned to FDNY Engine 55. On September 12, 2001 and for several days following Brother Steve worked 12-hour shifts alongside other firefighters digging and sifting through the rubble from the World Trade Center looking for survivors. Very few photographs and no interviews exist because he declined them. He wasn't there for the publicity."
Do you recognize this man? Do you know his name? Lots of people know he’s an actor, and that his name is Steve...
Posted by Brotherhood of Fire on Monday, 2 September 2013
To this day, Buscemi continues to work as an advocate for the brave men and women of the Fire Department.
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