Interview202044 min640×360

David Kayen oral history interview conducted by Laurel Gumpert, September 8, 2020

Gumpert, Laurel

History

At the Library of Congress

Clips are not offered for this film: the Library of Congress states its rights in its own words, not as a public licence, which leaves reuse unclear.

Low resolution (640×360): this is the archive's own copy. Where the browser can use the graphics chip, Enhance picture in the player's settings draws it sharper.

About

At the time of 9/11, David was working in the Hazardous Materials Unit of the NYPD. When he arrived at the WTC, the fire department directed him to park in a specific spot, but David decided to park near the other police vehicles. If he hadn't done so, he would have been killed when the South Tower collapsed. When the South Tower began falling, his partner was able to jump into a car nearby, but David tried to find cover underneath it. Everything around him was on fire. He followed the beeping sound of the motion detectors on the first responders and started pulling people out of the rubble and got them moving to somewhere safer. Fourteen of David's friends passed away that day, which only motivated him to keep working so he could find closure. He worked for about three weeks as part of the bucket brigade, setting up the logistics tent, and going out with various search teams. He was taken off the pile and assigned to provide protection for meetings in NYC, for the United Nations, and the US Open. He got pulled away from Ground Zero again during the anthrax scare. With the help of family, David has dealt with his PTSD and survivor's guilt. He understands the importance of mental healthcare options for first responders and hopes to see more significant channels of help in the future. He is losing two to three friends each year from 9/11-related issues and has health problems himself. David tries to stay positive, live in the moment, and enjoy every second of his life.

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