Sept. 11 Fire Engine Commemorated at Americans in Wartime Museum Event

A fire engine that responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, is now headed to the National Museum of Americans in Wartime in Dale City after a commemorative ceremony this afternoon. 

The museum obtained the 9/11 artifacts through an agreement with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. 

Originally, the Port Authority's records showed that the crew of the engine had survived, since it had reportedly belonged to Squad 270. 

"Because they said the original crew survived, we thought it would be great to interview them," said Kathy Bentz, the Director of Operations at NMAW.

But when NMAW staff did a little investigating, they found out on Oct. 22 that the engine and its crew had been transferred to Squad 252 and the six-man crew had died. 

The crew included Lieutenant Timothy Higgins, and firefighters Tarel Coleman, Tom Kuveikis, Peter Langone, Pat Lyons and Kevin Prior. 

"When the order came to evacuate the North Tower, Lieutenant Higgins and his crew from Squad 252 kept climbing," an NMAW release said. "They said they were on their way to help other firefighters. 'We'll meet you,' Lt. Higgins shouted to another firefighter as they passed... All members of Squad 252 Engine made the supreme sacrifice and died in the line of duty on the morning of 9-11, among 343 FDNY personnel who died that day. We honor their courage, their selflessness and their heroism."