Following 9/11, public memorials have been dedicated in honor of the emergency responders who lost their lives on that tragic day. One memorial that we highly recommend seeing is the FDNY Memorial Wall. 

The FDNY Memorial Wall pays respect to the 343 members of the FDNY (the acronym for the New York City Fire Department) who perished in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001. Here’s more about this wall of remembrance.

Where is this FDNY 9/11 memorial located?

This memorial is located at the FDNY Ten House firehouse on Liberty Street and adjacent to Greenwich Street. The brick firehouse is about two minutes away from the  9/11 National Memorial and Museum. 

Due to its proximity, the FDNY Ten House was the first NYC firehouse to respond on 9/11 to the World Trade Center complex. At that time, the firehouse was across the way from the complex’s South Tower. 

This firehouse holds another interesting distinction. It’s one of only two FDNY firehouses housing engine and ladder companies with the same numbers. (The other is FDNY fire station #52, with Engine 52 and Ladder 52, in The Bronx’s Riverdale neighborhood.)

While the FDNY Ten House building was built in 1979, both Engine 10 and Ladder 10 were founded back in 1865. Over time, both companies would be based at different locations. During the 1980s, they would each be transferred to the FDNY Ten House.

Following 9/11, both Engine 10 and Ladder 10 were relocated to other FDNY firehouses, as the FDNY Ten House became physically damaged. 

However, this building became a command center during recovery operations at Ground Zero. It reopened in 2003, following a $3.5 million repair and renovation project.

What to see at the FDNY 9/11 Memorial Wall

In June 2006, the FDNY 9/11 Memorial Wall at FDNY Ten House was unveiled at an official designation ceremony. Among the firefighters lost on 9/11, six of them were from FDNY Ten House.

Designed by the Rambusch Lighting Company, a Jersey City firm specializing in decorative metal work, this panoramic memorial is truly remarkable. It’s 56 feet long, six feet high, and cast in 8,000 pounds of bronze. 

The FDNY memorial consists of panels that provide a narrative of 9/11 from the firefighters’ perspectives. It’s created in such a way that it shows every personnel, type of vehicle, and even the fire trucks and equipment that were part of the rescue effort on that day. 

The central panel illustrates the flames coming from the former World Trade Center’s North and South Towers set ablaze and amid the moment when the second hijacked plane hit the South Tower. 

Other panels show various detailed scenes, such as:

• Firefighters laying down firehose lines.
• A fireboat on the horizon
• Firefighters washing their faces at a hydrant.
• A weary firefighter reaching up from the ground

The FDNY Memorial Wall uses an artistic technique known as bas-relief. This effect raises the figures off the background and gives them added dimension. An engraving on the wall reads: “Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on. May we never forget.”

The memorial’s lower section pays tribute to the lives lost by listing all the active members of the FDNY by rank who fell on that day. It also includes a timeline of the events and recovery efforts.

You’ll also notice a separate plaque at the firehouse honoring a volunteer firefighter named Glenn Winuk, who lost his life when responding to the World Trade Center’s collapse. Winuk was a former partner of Holland & Knight, the law firm that funded the memorial. 

A “New York Times” article on the memorial’s unveiling reported that the installers and firefighters from FDNY Ten House wrote personal messages on the back of it with a paint pen. Those writings remain hidden from public viewing.

Can I visit this FDNY 9/11 memorial? 

Yes, you can visit the memorial and you should! A stop at the memorial is typically included in our Ground Zero Tour, and it’s one of the many sights near the 9/11 Memorial.

FDNY Memorial Wall reviews

There are many things you can see with your time in New York. If you’re trying to decide if you should take a Ground Zero tour or even just swing by the firefighters’ memorial on your own, these reviews from fellow travelers may help.

Reviews about the FDNY Memorial:

• “This bronze memorial wall outside FDNY Engine 10/Ladder 10 is a powerful and emotional tribute to the firefighters of 9/11. The detailed relief shows scenes of bravery, chaos, and unity, capturing the spirit and sacrifice of those who responded, like a story frozen in metal.” — Tibor
• “Amazing tribute to the firefighters that risked and lost their lives. I wish I had all day to look at all the intricacies of it. Just being here was emotional. Definitely stop by this if you’re checking out the memorial!” — Kylie
• “Somber site. I can’t think of the words to describe the feelings this brings. Our first responders deserve so much more.” — JT
• “The memorial is an incredible tribute to the 9/11 attack. It has captured the soul and essence of all that perished on that tragic day. A lot of planning and design went in to preserve this beautiful sight.” — Stephen

As I mentioned, the memorial is often a stop on our tour, so reviewers frequently mention it. But along with the memorial itself, our guide shares stories from the day, including about the firefighters who risked (and sometimes lost) their lives in the rescue effort during and following the attacks.

Here’s what tour-goers say:

• “We stopped by the names of the firefighters that lost their life and made tracings on a firefighter’s name, a very emotional event for me, being a firefighter myself. We realized if we had not done the tour, we would have missed a lot of information that made this special.” — Pattie
• “The 9/11 Memorial tour was the highlight of our trip to NYC. Our tour guide, Tim, was amazing. He made this tour so personal. He addressed us all by name and related many personal experiences of firefighters and policemen from that day. He explained the symbolism of the memorial and the fireman’s wall.” — Mary
• “Our guide, Eric, was there during 9/11. It was interesting to hear his experience during this tragic event. Eric was very knowledgeable and took us to St. Paul’s Chapel, the Oculus, FDNY Memorial Wall, and the 9/11 Memorial. We recommend this tour.” — Marc
• “My wife and I really enjoyed the tour. It was my first time to NY, so it helped to have someone to explain a few things that knew. As a firefighter, I really appreciate the thought they put into remembering the fallen.” — Nick

More to see at Ground Zero

The FDNY Memorial Wall is an important part of the story of what happened here. There are many other sights part of the story too! If you’re looking for more to see here, check out our guide to six inspirational things to see at Ground Zero.