For more than a quarter‑century, Sal Argano has stood watch at Engine 10 and Ladder 10 of the FDNY’s famed Ten House, a small Manhattan fire station located just across the street from the World Trade Center site. On September 11, 2001, Argano was on loan to a Brooklyn station, a twist of fate that kept him from the tower’s collapse. He rushed back to find his home firehouse badly damaged but still standing, learning later that six of its members were among the 343 FDNY firefighters who perished that day.
Why Argano’s Presence Matters
“If I wasn’t sent out on rotation there would have been a good chance I would not be here today,” Argano says, a reminder of how providential timing can shape a life of service. Now the last of the 2001 crew still on duty, he embodies a living link between the tragedy and the city’s ongoing recovery.
A Living Memorial
Ten House has become more than a fire station; it is a de facto 9/11 memorial. Tourists line up daily to view a large bronze relief that lists the names of the fallen firefighters. Visitors also snap photos beside Engine 10 and Ladder 10, the gleaming trucks that give the station its nickname.
Capt. Terence Brody, commander of Ladder 10, notes, “People around the world know this firehouse. They’re going to come by and say hello.” Brody, who joined the FDNY academy on 9/11, recalls the apocalyptic scene of debris that fell like snow, describing the day as “a little overwhelming, to say the least.” In the immediate aftermath, Ten House served as a command center and safe haven for weary first responders.
Generations of Firefighters
Today, many of the station’s younger members were not even born when the towers fell. Argano works to instill respect for the site’s history, urging newcomers to treat every visitor with dignity. He admits the constant stream of tourists can be relentless, with some questions feeling overly personal.
Robert Favata, who joined Ladder 10 in 2008, reflects on the transformation of the surrounding landscape. “When I got here, there was nothing. I never thought they were gonna finish,” he says, watching the new skyscrapers, waterfall pools, and the 9/11 Museum that now frame the memorial.
Looking Ahead
As the 25th anniversary approaches, the station’s crew contemplates the future. Favata worries about preserving the stories of his predecessors, while Brody has already submitted his retirement papers, planning to leave in October after a career that began across the street from the very site he now protects.
Argano, however, shows no signs of stepping down. “I’m not done. I’m gonna be here as long as I can,” he says, lighting a cigarette and preparing for another long shift. He hopes to continue sharing the history of Ten House with anyone willing to listen.
Community Impact
The firehouse’s dual role—as an active emergency response unit and a historic landmark—underscores the FDNY’s commitment to both public safety and remembrance. By keeping the memory of 9/11 alive through daily interaction with residents and tourists, Ten House reinforces the city’s resilience and the enduring spirit of its first‑responders.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
