Last Man Down

On September 11th, leading seven companies of firefighters up the B stairway to Tower 1 of the World Trade Centre, Battalion Commander Richard 'Pitch' Picciotto was the highest ranking fire department commander in the twin towers when Tower 2 fell. Pitch and his men were on the 17th floor racing upward when the world seemed to explode around them. Out of radio communication with the command centre and with no time t o reflect Pitch ordered the evacuation of Tower 1. Firefighters under his command staged an orderly retreat until word came that the stairwell was blocked with debris. From his knowledge of the Towers gained during service after the 1993 WTC bombing Pitch was able to lead the firefighters to an alternate stairwell and the descent continued. After 8 minutes when they reached floor 12 Pitch was met with a horrifying sight: more than 50 civilians sitting mutely at desks seemed immobilised in his flashlight's glare. When he ordered them out, out, OUT! wheelchairs began to roll to the door; these were the workers too old, crippled or weak to have made their way out on their own. Pitch ordered his men to stop and form a human bucket brigade to thrust the civilians out of the building, and blue uniforms lined the stairwell. 14 minutes had elapsed since the collapse of Tower 2.

Pushing and cajoling them down and out Pitch was in the 7th floor stairwell when a sound like thunder was heard from above. It took eight seconds for Tower 1 to fall, accordioning into a mound of burning rubble many have likened to hell. Pitch and a handful of survivors woke to find themselves buried on the landing of the second floor, in an inky cavity broken by the screams of injured men. This is the story of how they made it out, and how Pitch Picciotto, the highest ranking firefighter survived the collapse of the twin towers and led his men to safety.

INTERVIEWS: R2 STEVE WRIGHT SHOW will be interviewing Pitch in New York on Friday 21 February - this was cancelled as Pitch had to attended a funeral REVIEWS: 'This book is no literary masterpiece but its strength lies in itsraw edges, the realism of the language and the honesty of the opinions'BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY MERCURY 'This is a harrowing, personal account that sharply brings into deadening focus the terrible events of that day in late summer'WORCESTER EVE NEWS 'Picciotto's moment-by-moment description of events are a lasting tribute to the 343 fallen fire fighters who died on 11 September 2001'JACK O

A former New York City police officer, Chief Picciotto had been a Fire marshal, an arson investigator, a lieutenant and a captain, prior to becoming chief in 1992. He holds a BBA degree and has been the recipient of departmental awards and commendations for bravery and meritorious service. He lives in Port Chester, New York with his family.

On September 11th, leading seven companies of firefighters up the B stairway to Tower 1 of the World Trade Centre, Battalion Commander Richard 'Pitch' Picciotto was the highest ranking fire department commander in the twin towers when Tower 2 fell. Pitch and his men were on the 17th floor racing upward when the world seemed to explode around them. Out of radio communication with the command centre and with no time t o reflect Pitch ordered the evacuation of Tower 1. Firefighters under his command staged an orderly retreat until word came that the stairwell was blocked with debris. From his knowledge of the Towers gained during service after the 1993 WTC bombing Pitch was able to lead the firefighters to an alternate stairwell and the descent continued. After 8 minutes when they reached floor 12 Pitch was met with a horrifying sight: more than 50 civilians sitting mutely at desks seemed immobilised in his flashlight's glare. When he ordered them out, out, OUT! wheelchairs began to roll to the door; these were the workers too old, crippled or weak to have made their way out on their own. Pitch ordered his men to stop and form a human bucket brigade to thrust the civilians out of the building, and blue uniforms lined the stairwell. 14 minutes had elapsed since the collapse of Tower 2.Pushing and cajoling them down and out Pitch was in the 7th floor stairwell when a sound like thunder was heard from above. It took eight seconds for Tower 1 to fall, accordioning into a mound of burning rubble many have likened to hell. Pitch and a handful of survivors woke to find themselves buried on the landing of the second floor, in an inky cavity broken by the screams of injured men. This is the story of how they made it out, and how Pitch Picciotto, the highest ranking firefighter survived the collapse of the twin towers and led his men to safety.

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