New York City firefighters are known for their closeness to one another; they bond through a common love of their work and the five boroughs they are trusted to protect. They are called a brotherhood.
To date, fire marshal Phil Gibbs '81 has lost 34 of his brothers. They were among nearly 300 persons confirmed dead -- all victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
As the city's rescue efforts continue, it is the responsibility of Gibbs and his fellow fire marshals to supervise operations in temporary morgues situated in downtown Manhattan, not far from the site of the attacks. Gibbs examines each body that arrives at his morgue, looking for a charred uniform or telltale piece of equipment that would indicate whether the deceased was a firefighter.
In the past three weeks, Gibbs has identified the remains of four firefighters. With over 100 firefighters still listed as missing, it is a disquietingly low number.
"It surprised me that they [rescue workers] found nobody alive and so few bodies," Gibbs said. "The whole thing is just so sad."
Although Gibbs was not among the many city workers called in to assist in rescue efforts on the day of the tragedy, he came to the attack site the following morning to survey the damage for himself and to offer his help.
He was not alone.
"It was relatively unorganized," he explained, describing the crowded and chaotic scene. "At that point, you could do whatever you wanted to help, or whatever needed to be done. And, there was plenty of help."
Although at times Gibbs wore a helmet and a mask over his mouth, smoke burned his eyes. Around him, fire engines pumped water to quell fires still burning a full day after the attacks, and countless electric generators powered noisy cranes charged with removing debris from the area.
Since that day, the scene has undergone a noticeable change, according to Gibbs. Fewer workers take part in a more organized rescue and recovery effort and the streets are considerably cleaner, he said.
Gibbs now splits his time between Manhattan and his home office in the Bronx. He works longer hours so that he may perform his duties at both locations.
Although Gibbs believes his job to be less emotionally draining than that of rescue and recovery workers combing the wreckage of the World Trade Towers, he said that work at the morgue is exhausting.
Yet the increased workload and the traumatic nature of his work have not discouraged Gibbs.
"I'm perfectly willing and eager to do it," he said, "because it has to be done."
Gibbs, who began his career at Engine Company 40 in Manhattan, counts many friends at that company and at others as victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
To cope with his personal grief, Gibbs spends time with family and friends, including fellow firefighters.
"The response of firefighters has just been really extraordinary. As awful as it is, that part has been really good," he explained.
Gibbs' commitment to his profession remains intact. The tragedy, according to Gibbs, makes his work, "less wonderful than it was three weeks ago."
"But it is still a great job," he said, " and I love doing it."
