With bright red lipstick and the sound of my kitten heels echoing through the halls of the FDNY testing center, I started to think that perhaps being a New York City Firefighter was not my true calling..

 Instead, I realized my contribution was geared towards telling the tale of courage that the humble men and women of the NYC fire department have embodied over the years since 9/11/2001. The bravery, resilience, and growth that I was privileged to observe throughout my childhood, was notable enough to be highlighted for the rest of the world to see.

Growing up I had always had a great sense of pride to say that my Dad was a NYC firefighter. After the attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001, my awe for this professions increased. As chaos in the world continues to overwhelm us, it is imperative that we are prompted of our commitment to never forget. The 20th anniversary of 9/11/2001 inspires the sharing of stories which remind us of the honor associated with this profession. 

Twenty years after the attacks on 9/11/2001, chaos ensues in the form of the Covid pandemic. With so many people being taken away with their stories left untold, it feels so necessary to be able to listen to the stories that we still have the privilege to hear. The stories told by the surviving firefighters from Engine 54/Ladder 4 in Manhattan are hard to hear but beautifully told. The goal of the book is to embrace the highly embraced motto, never forget. In this small commitment it is vowed to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for their fellow man. 

Over the past 30 years Siobhan Brady has grown up knowing a second family: The NYC fire department. With a FDNY firefighter as a father, she learned many of her life skills from sitting at the firehouse kitchen table. Twenty years after the attacks on The World Trade Center, she felt it necessary to share the insight she had gained from observing these brave men and women.