This weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a somber milestone that reminds us of the heroes who emerged on that tragic day. We remember the people who lost their lives and the brave men and women who selflessly helped in the aftermath. Among these heroes was Steve Buscemi, the acclaimed actor who, during that time, served as a firefighter at Ground Zero. Now, two decades later, Buscemi is sharing the profound impact those days had on him and his fellow responders.
With countless memorable roles in Hollywood, Buscemi has been a familiar face on our screens for years. From Reservoir Dogs to Fargo and The Big Lebowski, his performances have captivated audiences. But what many don’t know is that he volunteered at Ground Zero with his former fire department after 9/11.
In the 1980s, Buscemi was a firefighter with Engine 55 in Lower Manhattan while pursuing his acting career on the side. He cherished the “brotherhood” he found among his fellow firefighters, but ultimately left the job when his acting career took off. However, on the day after 9/11, he returned to Ground Zero to assist his old colleagues at Engine 55.
“When 9/11 happened, I came back here on the 12th and had my gear, I still had my old, you know, my turnout coat and my helmet and the boots,” Buscemi shared in a 2014 interview with CBS News.
During his time at Ground Zero, Buscemi maintained a low-key profile. Instead of being a celebrity, he was one of the firefighters searching for bodies in the rubble. He vividly remembers the feeling of connection with his fellow responders, but also the unrecognizable and otherworldly scene created by the dust and debris. They knew they were working in hazardous conditions.
“This is probably going to kill us in 20 years,” Buscemi recalled someone saying.
Sadly, that statement turned out to be eerily prescient. Over the past two decades, many first responders have been diagnosed with health issues, including deadly respiratory illnesses, related to their work at the World Trade Center site.
Reflecting on the dangers faced by the responders, Buscemi expressed his disappointment in recent years as firefighters had to advocate for more funding for the Victim Compensation Fund. He emphasized the importance of not forgetting the ongoing struggles and deaths among those who served.
While Buscemi hasn’t experienced physical health issues from his time at Ground Zero, he has been dealing with the lasting effects of PTSD. The experience took a toll on him mentally.
“I was only there for like five days, but when I stopped going and sort of tried to just live my life again, it was really, really hard,” Buscemi shared in an interview with Marc Maron. “I was depressed. I was anxious. I couldn’t make a simple decision.”
Although working with his fellow firefighters on the scene brought a sense of solidarity and camaraderie, the weight of the experience caught up with Buscemi later on. Fortunately, he sought therapy to help process the enormity of what had happened.
“It wasn’t until I got home that the magnitude of it all caught up with me,” he wrote in Time. “Having someone with whom to sit with all the feelings was a consolation.”
It is heart-wrenching to learn of Steve Buscemi’s struggle with PTSD as a result of his volunteer work at Ground Zero. However, he remains a true hero, not only for his bravery after 9/11 but also for his ongoing advocacy on behalf of his fellow responders. Let us share his story and appreciation for Steve Buscemi, the remarkable individual he is.
