On 9/11, people remember how actor Steve Buscemi helped search for survivors as a New York firefighter
Sixteen years ago, on 11 September 2001, Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi returned to his job as a New York firefighter.
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Sixteen years ago, on 11 September 2001, Hollywood actor
Steve Buscemi— known for his depictions of gangsters and weirdos, once described by The Guardianas a "strangely attractive shoelace" — returned to his job as a New York firefighter.
He worked 12 hour shifts for several days alongside other firefighters, searching for survivors in the rubble from the World Trade Center.
Buscemi had taken the
FDNY civil service test when he was 18, and used to work as a FDNY firefighter in downtown
Manhattan in the 1980's.
He later left the service to become an actor, but has remained engaged in New York firefighters causes, having spoken at union rallies and hosted the HBO documentary
A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY.
At the time, he said of his efforts during the rescue: "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."
In 2013, the Brotherhood of Fire Facebook page reminded people of his selfless act of courage, writing beneath a picture of Buscemi.
"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.
Buscemi also been an advocate for firefighters' welfare, telling CBS News: "Firefighters are great at helping others, they're great at helping each other. But they're not always—they don't always know that they, themselves, are in need.
"Their first reaction would be: 'Oh, the next guy has it worse, you know?'"