Michael Mazziotti oral history interview conducted by Dr. Benjamin Luft, July 23, 2010

About

Michael was working as an NYPD officer patrolling Canal Street to the South Ferry areas with his rookie partner, Eric. He was at the bottom of the North Tower when he heard a "big bang" and the building shook. He first thought it might be the wind, but then he saw dust and debris falling, as well as a man falling from above and hitting the concrete. His arms kept "flapping like a duck" before he stopped moving. He saw firemen from Beekman Street Engine Company 6, who were friends of his, climb the stairs to rescue people. None of them came back alive. He still has trouble visiting the Company 6 Firehouse. Michael was given the responsibility of evacuating the people out of the North Tower, away from the WTC area, and into the subways. He sustained some injuries and was treated at St. Vincent's Hospital. As these were on-the-job injuries, he was relieved of duty for some time. He later returned to the site with his partner to give relief and deliver food to the men and women who were working at Ground Zero. Michael is unhappy with the way the NYPD treated his case. He believes the NYPD sergeants lacked the skills to emotionally care for their officers after the attack. They have also refused to give him disability for his emotional state after going through the horrible experiences of this attack.

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed