NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Throughout the summer, WCBS Newsradio 880 is presenting a series of reports looking ahead to the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Our series, "Rising from the Ashes," tells stories that inspire and teach; stories that honor the sacrifices of that day and how that work continues to impact the lives of others 20 years later.
Even after suffering unfathomable loss, some families continue to answer the call of the FDNY.
As part of our series, reporter Sean Adams speaks with one New York City firefighter about his loss that day and his commitment to serve.
Eleven members of Rescue 5 on Staten Island died on September 11. For Joe Esposito, a 36-year veteran of the FDNY who has been with Rescue 5 for 22 of those years, it was like losing 11 brothers, only he lost so much more.
"My brother, Michael, was a lieutenant in Squad Company 1 and my cousin, Frankie, was in Engine 235," Esposito said.
When Esposito arrived after the towers crumbled, he kept asking if anyone had seen his brother or cousin.
"I knew by the look in some of the faces that they were gone," Esposito said.
Earlier this year, his older brother, Sal, died.
"He was actually at the Trade Center. He was a union operator and he got sick," Esposito said.
Through all the pain and anguish, Esposito's other brothers have been there.
"The firehouse. This is my my refuge, this is my counseling unit right here," Esposito said. "I never talked to anyone about straight up counseling, but in this firehouse kitchen that's where I get all my energy from and it's all good."
For some families, firefighting is in the blood. The children of those lost on September 11th are now answering the call and Esposito has been counseling the next generation of firefighters.
"John Bergen's son is on the job, Joe Mascali's son is on the job. Post-9/11, Larry Sullivan, his two kids are on the job, my two nephews are on the job. So it was a very proud moment that they stepped in in that way," he said.
After the terror attacks, Esposito considered calling it quits.
"I had a job to do and looking in the wives' faces, looking at my sister-in-law's face, looking at my mother and father's faces, my uncle and my aunt, I just couldn't do that," Esposito said.
Thirty-six years on the job now, Joe Esposito's son is on the list for the fire training academy.