Full Breakdown
Preserving the Riding Lists of Nine Fallen FDNY Firefighters
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Twenty-five years after the attacks on September 11, 2001, firefighters from the former Engine 22/Ladder 13/Battalion 10 house on East 85th Street returned to unveil historic firehouse riding lists conserved behind temperature-controlled glass. Conservators from the Metropolitan Museum of Art stabilized the chalk-written names of the nine firefighters who were unaccounted for when the towers collapsed, ensuring the memorial board will survive for future generations.
Background & Context
Firehouse riding lists—chalkboards that record which firefighters are on duty each shift—have long been a daily ritual in FDNY stations. After September 11, 2001, the names of the nine men from the East 85th Street house remained on the board as a stark reminder of loss. When museum conservators learned of the boards, they repaired and sealed them, citing the importance of preserving such artifacts.
Key Figures & Groups
- Captain Douglas Mitchell – firehouse captain who led the preservation effort.
- Stephen Saucedo – veteran firefighter reflecting on camaraderie.
- Juan Rivera – firefighter who returned to the house.
- Harold Holzer – historian who assisted the museum team.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art conservators – specialists who applied protective glazing to the boards.
Data & Statistics
- The riding list commemorates nine firefighters missing after the towers collapsed.
- The firehouse originally housed Engine 22, Ladder 13, and Battalion 10.
Official Statements & Responses
He emphasized that preserving the lists “gives us hope” and serves as a teaching tool for newer members.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There aren't a lot of us left, obviously.” — Juan Rivera
- “It's a belonging. A camaraderie that you like to be part of, and it's hard to let it go.” — Stephen Saucedo
- “You become attached to them. Even though they're gone, they've been here so long I know all these guys.” — Harold Holzer
- “What a wonderful history it is to have it here in the firehouse where those members worked, and where they died,” — Captain Douglas Mitchell
Why It Matters
The preserved riding lists provide a tangible link between the living and the fallen, reinforcing FDNY’s culture of remembrance. By safeguarding the chalk names, the department ensures that new recruits can confront the personal cost of the September 11, 2001 attacks, rather than viewing the tragedy solely through abstract statistics. The collaboration with a major museum shows how cultural institutions can aid in memorializing emergency-service history.
What's Next
The firehouse will keep the glass-encased boards on permanent display and incorporate them into annual training sessions, allowing each new generation of firefighters to learn the individual stories behind the nine names.
