Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Staten Island native Sal Cassano was a 3-star chief on September 11, 2001. Upon hearing there had been an explosion at the World Trade Center, Cassano assumed the blast was caused by some type of industrial accident. As he made his way to the scene he witnessed United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the WTC's South Tower.
While working at a makeshift FDNY command post Cassano was tasked with clearing the area in case the towers collapsed. At 9:59am the South Tower collapsed, followed shortly by the North Tower. Cassano survived the collapse of the North Tower by taking cover under a fire rig parked nearby to his command post. He then spent the next few months participating in the rescue and recovery effort.
Interview recorded on April 1, 2026
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Support the American Veterans Center's mission to preserve the legacy and history of our heroes by making a tax-deductible donation today: americanveteranscenter.org/donation-form
Learn more about the American Veterans Center: americanveteranscenter.org
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/americanveteranscenter
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Video Credits:
Interviewer/Producer - Bramley Sullivan
Director of Photography - Patrick Dolan
Editor - Daniel Taksas
Staten Island native Sal Cassano was a 3-star chief on September 11, 2001. Upon hearing there had been an explosion at the World Trade Center, Cassano assumed the blast was caused by some type of industrial accident. As he made his way to the scene he witnessed United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the WTC's South Tower.
While working at a makeshift FDNY command post Cassano was tasked with clearing the area in case the towers collapsed. At 9:59am the South Tower collapsed, followed shortly by the North Tower. Cassano survived the collapse of the North Tower by taking cover under a fire rig parked nearby to his command post. He then spent the next few months participating in the rescue and recovery effort.
Interview recorded on April 1, 2026
----------------------------------------------------------------
Support the American Veterans Center's mission to preserve the legacy and history of our heroes by making a tax-deductible donation today: americanveteranscenter.org/donation-form
Learn more about the American Veterans Center: americanveteranscenter.org
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/americanveteranscenter
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/AVCupdate
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/americanveteranscenter
Subscribe to the Veterans Chronicles podcast: link.chtbl.com/americanveteranscenter?sid=youtubedescription
----------------------------------------------------------------
Video Credits:
Interviewer/Producer - Bramley Sullivan
Director of Photography - Patrick Dolan
Editor - Daniel Taksas
