Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Jim Riches, FDNY Deputy Chief
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Jim Riches is the Deputy Chief of the FDNY. He is one of the producers of Urban Legend, a video that doggedly questions the supposedly heroic actions of Mayor Giuliani on 9/11. We recently asked him a few questions about that, today's anniversary and the future of the WTC.
How long have you been in the FDNY?
30 years experience in some of the busiest firehouses in NYC.
Which firehouse are you working at now?
Assigned to Bureau of Operations as Deputy Chief FDNY.
How are you spending this September 11th?
I will always go to WTC as long as I live on September 11.
What do you think of the memorial and redevelopment plans?
Families have had no input at all. I wish it could be like wall of Remembrance at Key Span Park in Coney Island with laser photos of loved ones on marble slate.
Has it been decided if families will get to go down in to Ground Zero this year, as they have previously (but Mayor Bloomberg may stop this year)?
I met with Bloomberg and other family members. Bloomberg listened to us and he relented and will allow us to descend down the ramp into the pit to lay flowers at the site where our loved ones breathed their last breathe and their souls left their bodies. Names will be read across the street at Zuccotti Park.
What's the best way to honor the memory of the people who died on that day?
Never Forget them as American Heroes.
What were you doing on September 11th (and the days after)?
I was digging for my son's body at Ground Zero from 9/11/01 until we recovered his body on 3/25/02 and carried his body out of the pit at Ground Zero with my three sons.
What made you want to be a firefighter? You have other children - would you want them to serve in the FDNY?
I love to help other people, very satisfying. My four sons all became firefighters in Brooklyn.
How do you feel the FDNY has responded to change its tactics in the wake of 9/11?
Training for terrorism and haz mat has increased, but the job has lost much needed experience because of 9/11 and the job is very young now.
What do you think of the problems with the Deutsche Bank fire?
Deutsche Bank was a terrible tragedy. The standpipe being broken is criminal. LMDC and Bovis were required to maintain the standpipe operational. Where were the site safety managers of Bovis and daily inspections by them?
Regarding next year's election, are you doing anything to let the rest of America know about Giuliani's actions on 9/11?
We will protest around the states to let everyone know the Rudy failed to prepare for the WTC attacks. He failed miserably before, during and after 9/11. No drills at WTC from 1993 to 9/11/01. Radios failed in 1993 and again in 2001. Command center at 7 WTC. No unified command, No interoperable radios FD and PD. 911 operators telling people in South Tower to stay put even before plane hit South Tower, yet FD commanders at scene were calling for its evacuation. Lying about quality of air, and not obtaining proper face fitted respirators until Nov 2001 leading to 70% of 1st responders with 9/11 illnesses while Rudy was too busy to lift a finger to help them because he was making tens of millions of dollars capitalizing off 9/11. His legacy will be thousands of sick and dying first responders.
Has Giuliani had any contact with the FDNY since the "Urban Legend" video was released in July?
No contact with us or unions. He called the unions democratic even though the UFA backed Guiliani and Bush, but IAFF backed Kerry.
Rudy Guiliani was confrontational and antagonistic in his mayoral terms in NYC. Rudy should take these words of author William Arthur Wood. "Leadership is based on INSPIRATION not domination and COOPERATION not intimidation."
On a lighter note, do you have a favorite place in the city to go to unwind?
Relax at Tony DiNapoli's restaurant on 84th St and 2nd Ave on the East side. Great food and very hospitable.
Photo via the Urban Legends video
Tagged
9/11
america
arthur wood
bloomberg
brooklyn
bush
children
coney island
deutsche bank
election
fdny
fire
food
giuliani
ground zero
heroes
interview
jim riches
love
mayor
mayor bloomberg
mayor giuliani
never forget
nyc
people
photos
plane
protest
redevelopment
Rudy Guiliani
safety
september 11
south tower
the city
the future
video
Zuccotti Park
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Published Oct 2, 2026
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
By
Emma Stefansky
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
By
Quinn Moreland
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .