William Michael Feehan (September 29, 1929 – September 11, 2001) was a member of the Fire Department of New York who died during the collapse of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. He was the second-highest official in the department.[1]
William Michael Feehan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 29, 1929 Long Island City, New York City |
| Died | September 11, 2001 (aged 71) World Trade Center, New York City |
| Cause of death | Collapse of 1 World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks |
| Occupation | Firefighter |
| Known for | First Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Department New York |
| Firefighter career | |
| Department | New York City Fire Department |
| Service years | 1959–2001 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1959 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles / wars | Korean War |
Early life
editWilliam Feehan was born September 29, 1929, in Long Island City, Queens, and grew up in Jackson Heights.[1]
Feehan graduated from Saint John's University in 1952. He served in the United States Army in Korea during the Korean War,[1][2] during which he was decorated with the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.[2]
Career
editFeehan held every rank within the fire department, starting with Probationary Firefighter upon his appointment on October 10, 1959,[2] and was the first firefighter to do so.[3] He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1964 and eventually to Chief of Department in 1991. In 1992, he was appointed Deputy Fire Commissioner. Upon the resignation of Fire Commissioner Carlos M. Rivera, he briefly served as Acting Fire Commissioner through the end of Mayor David N. Dinkins administration from August 31, 1993, until December 31, 1993.[citation needed]
After incoming Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani picked Howard Safir to become Fire Commissioner of the City of New York, Feehan returned to his previous position of First Deputy Fire Commissioner of the City of New York. Although high-ranking members of the FDNY and other city departments ordinarily are asked to step aside for incoming mayors to make their own appointments, according to an FDNY spokesman, this was not requested of Feehan, because he was so knowledgeable that he "was thought to know the location of every fire hydrant in the city." Feehan served in that position, the second-highest position in the department, until his death.[3]
Personal life
editFeehan lived in Flushing, Queens.[1] Feehan was married to Elizabeth Ann Keegan (1933–1996) for 40 years until her death in 1996, three days after her 63rd birthday.
Death and legacy
editOn September 11, 2001, during the September 11 attacks, Feehan was at a forward command post during the collapse of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and was killed in that event. He was 71.[3] Tom Junod, writing in Esquire magazine, wrote that surviving first responders remember Feehan admonishing a bystander who was recording individuals jumping from the building's windows, asking them "Don't you have any human decency?"[4]
Feehan was survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Feehan and Tara Davan, and sons, William Feehan and firefighter John Feehan, who had worked in Squad Company 252 and as Captain of Engine 249. He was also survived by six grandchildren.[2] At the National 9/11 Memorial, Feehan is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-18.[5]
In 2015, the FDNY acquired a fireboat named after Feehan.[6][7] The vessel is a fast response fireboat, capable of pumping 8,000 gallons per minute, with a top speed of 40 knots (74 km/h). It is 66 feet (20 m) long and was made by using scrap metal from the Twin Towers.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Martin, Douglas (September 13, 2001). "William Feehan, Fire Dept. Leader, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "First Deputy Commissioner William Feehan". Fire Department of New York. Archived from the original on December 11, 2003. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c Martin, Douglas (September 13, 2001). "William Feehan, Fire Dept. Leader, Dies at 72". New York Times. p. A25. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Tom Junod (2003). "The Falling Man". Esquire Magazine. Archived from the original on September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
- ^ William M. Feehan. Memorial Guide: National 9/11 Memorial. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ^
Peter Kennedy (2015-08-06). "Kingston-built fireboat immortalizes 9/11 victim". Kingston Whig Standard. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
Just shy of 21 metres in length, the William M. Feehan is powered by a trio of Caterpillar C-18 engines, each capable of pushing out 1,150 horsepower, with twin fuel tanks splitting 4,500 litres. Running at a top speed of 40 knots (about 75 km/h), it can stop in two boat lengths.
- ^ "Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro and Family of FDNY Deputy Commissioner William M. Feehan Christen Vessel Named in His Honor". Fire Department of New York. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
External links
edit
- William M Feehan at Find a Grave
- Ramirez, Jan (September 17, 2012). "William Feehan: Remembering a Firefighter Who Held Every Rank". National 9/11 Memorial.