9-11 WTC Call Transcripts

[Michael Harris]

Transcripts of 9-11 WTC Calls Released
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - In the frenzy of phone calls that followed the terrorist attack on the first of the twin towers, trapped workers begged in vain for an escape route and anguished wives desperately sought lost husbands. Screams and sirens echoed in the background as bodies dropped out of the sky.

"Yo, I've got dozens of bodies, people just jumping from the top of the building onto ... in front of One World Trade," says a male caller. "People. Bodies are just coming from out of the sky. ... up top of the building."

The haunting images emerged Thursday as the Port Authority released 2,000 pages of transcripts from emergency calls and radio transmissions that provide the first glimpse into the confusing and devastating circumstances facing the agency and the building's occupants in the moments after the attack.

There were references to howling sirens in the background, while callers repeatedly spoke over each other after the plane crashed into the first tower at 8:46 a.m. Many callers were inaudible, yet the horror and hysteria of the morning jumps off the typed pages.

Jeannine McIntyre, whose police officer husband Donald died in the attack, saw the first tower fall and immediately called one of his co-workers. "Is my husband in that building that just collapsed?" she asked. "He was going up."

She was assured that there were no reports of injured Port Authority police, but repeated her sad mantra four times: "He was going up."

From 1 World Trade Center, the desperate assistant manager of the Windows on the World restaurant made four phone calls pleading for help as 100 people remained trapped with her near the top of the 110-story tower. "We're trying to get up to you, dear," a police officer tried to reassure her.

In another section of the transcripts, a male caller from the 92nd floor of the second tower told a Port Authority police officer, "We need to know if we need to get out of here, because we know there's an explosion."

The officer asked if there was smoke on the floor, and the caller replied that there was not.

"Should we stay or should we not?" the caller asked.

"I would wait 'til further notice," the officer replied.

"OK, all right," the caller said. "Don't evacuate." He then hung up. A second, similar call _ with the same police response _ came in a shortly after.

No one in the top floors of the tower survived after the second plane hit around the 80th floor shortly after 9 a.m. The evacuation of 2 World Trade Center, and when it began, has been a source of some anguish to relatives of those who died. Some survivors have previously said they were advised to remain in the building, which is owned by the Port Authority.

The transcripts provide an unprecedented look at the extraordinarily difficult decisions faced by occupants and Port Authority personnel. They also illustrate the contradictory information within the Port Authority itself in the initial moments, with one conversation reflecting an early discussion of an evacuation of both buildings after the first plane hit.

The transcripts contained the final conversations of victims, including 33 Port Authority employees, from the morning of the Sept. 11, 2001.

"In general, they show people performing their duties very heroically and very professionally on a day of horror," said Port Authority spokesman Greg Trevor.

In other calls, a man reached police from the roof of one building, while Windows on the World assistant manager Christine Olender called to report people stranded on the 106th floor. "We need direction as to where we need to direct our guests and our employees, as soon as possible," she says, citing increasing smoke.

"We're doing our best ... we're trying to get up to you, dear," replied a PA officer.

The release of the transcripts comes two weeks before the second anniversary of the attacks that collapsed the twin towers and killed 2,792 people.

Some of the victims identified themselves by name on the tape, while others' voices were recognized by co-workers. The transcripts include discussions involving 19 Port Authority police officers and 14 civilian workers, along with three people who did not work for the bistate agency.

In all, the Port Authority lost 37 police officers and 47 civilian employees in the attack.

Some surviving family members were angered or upset by the release, which followed a court battle between the Port Authority and the New York Times. Others said the transcripts could provide valuable insight into the tragedy; still others declined to even view the transcripts before their release to the media.

"It's not that I don't have an interest," said Theresa Riccardelli, whose husband, Francis, was killed. "I can't."

The Port Authority agreed to release the transcripts after a New Jersey judge ruled it was bound to an agreement it made last month with The Times.

The Port Authority records are not the first recordings of radio transmissions to be made public. Last year, the agency released a 78-minute tape of fire department transmissions that included the voices of several lost firefighters.

Shortly after the attacks, unofficial tapes and transcripts of 911 calls from people in the towers were broadcast and published.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Michael Harris]

I posted a news article. I know there has been much discussion from the families of the victims and from the survivors. Some feel that the release of the transcripts is good and some feel it is bad.

I want to commend the news media I listened to - they did not broadcast any of the calls. They felt that hearing them was a personal decision. Thank you TV news (CBS - WKYX in Philadelphia) for restraint. :)

I will not listen to them calls or read the transcripts. This is a very personal and painful decision. It should be for everyone.

The Question(s)
Should recordings/transcripts of 911 emergency calls or police / fire / EMT radio reports be treated as public records and made available to the media, etc.?

If not, should legitimate investigators have access? Examples - The family of someone who died by violence or in an auto accident needs to sue someone, the emergency personnel or the 911 dispatchers. The police appear to have messed up some action terribly, and some innocent bystander (harmed in some manner) wants to sue. The actual case is not important, but should this type of informaiton be public, or do we need to go to court every time?

[Diane Jarosz]

Hi Michael,
I heard some of the transcripts from 911 police and private citizens.
What I heard was heart wrenching!
These transcripts are very very upsetting..... very very sad!
DJ

[Kristine King]

Hi Michael,

I would have to come down on the side of making 911 calls public records. The service is paid for by tax dollars, and should be open to legitimate public scrutiny.

They should not, however, become the stuff of media circus. Family members, lawyers, law enforcement officials and, of course, private investigators, etc. should have access to these calls, or transcriptions of them.

To trot these out and play for ratings, either in print or video media, is the worst form of pandering.

Thanks for the article, and sparking what will be a good discussion!

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Michael,

First, let me tell you this: I did not lose anyone in this attack, though my Father lost some coworkers/friends. (I am truly sorry to those of you that did.) Also, other powerful things (The Gulf War for example) have happened during my lifetime, but this was the first time I think I was old enough (or mature enough) to really see what was happening. It hit me very hard, as I know it did for most Americans. I felt raped.

So with my POV established, I have to say I do not believe these transcripts should be public record. I do not have the best opinion of the media, and I can see no reason for them to have this information. They were sensitive this time, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes they just want a story with power, and it might be at someone’s expense. These people have been through enough. Also, and by God I hope no one would do this, but if an unscrupulous person had access to details, what if they decide to make a false claim? You know, I was injured, this is when and where it happened, I called, etc. I don't know if that's possible, but people can be pretty devious at times, especially when they're greedy.

Having said that, I also believe that investigators will need access to this information periodically. Let them go to court. People with a legitimate need should have access, not the media.

I honestly try to see things from both perspectives, but I have to admit I can't seem to do that here. Some of the people that experienced this first hand can see the good in making these transcripts public, yet I cannot. My brain has nothing to do with this opinion. It comes straight from my heart. Would it be better because it would make claims easier on those who are rightfully making them? I don't know. What I do know is I don't feel any good can come from this.

I know this is getting long, but I have another thought on this. I couldn't believe the effect this had on society. Overnight it seemed, people suddenly realized how badly we treated one another. We were no longer divided by color, or religion, or any of the petty differences. We no longer felt road rage. We were ALL AMERICANS, together. A tolerance had sprouted out of this tragedy, a light out of darkness. I thought, “Maybe those people did not die in vain, at the hands of the devil. Maybe this has purpose, as those people in death, brought a renewed love for life to the people of this country. A divine gift that they will always be lovingly remembered for.” They were warriors who gave everything.

Such that a light burns so bright and swiftly, it seems. I was devastated by how quickly this light faded. What happened? I remember hearing talk about the "short attention span" of Americans. I held hope close within that Americans would not forget the sacrifice these people made. Honoring these people is important. For the first time in the history of our country, we had, just for a moment, a flash of true equality, of unity, something many have fought and died for. For this, the victims (and families) will always be in my heart. I do not want to see this gift forgotten.

Hopefully having the transcripts public is not the only way to remember.

I hope I've not offended anyone.

[Diane Jarosz]

Dear Corinne,
Your words have such passion in them. I can't see how what you said could offend anyone.
Your post was beautifully written. Thank you for expressing your most intimate thoughts. I share with you those same thoughts.
DJ

[Michael Harris]

Originally posted by Diane Jarosz
...These transcripts are very very upsetting..... very very sad!
...
Diane,

That is why I will not listen to or read them. :(

[Michael Harris]

Originally posted by Kristine King
I would have to come down on the side of making 911 calls public records. The service is paid for by tax dollars, and should be open to legitimate public scrutiny.

They should not, however, become the stuff of media circus. Family members, lawyers, law enforcement officials and, of course, private investigators, etc. should have access to these calls, or transcriptions of them.

To trot these out and play for ratings, either in print or video media, is the worst form of pandering.

Thanks for the article, and sparking what will be a good discussion!
Kris,

I believe that those who need them should have access.

I agree very strongly with your comment
To trot these out and play for ratings, either in print or video media, is the worst form of pandering.
This is the kind of discussion I wanted.

[Michael Harris]

Corinne,

I believe that it took a court order to release the transcripts. The media was there, snatching the 2,000-page copies as if it were food and they were starving.

In this case, I feel that only those who needed the records should have them. This includes the families of the victims, if they wanted the transcripts.

On the other hand, they are public records.

As an investigator in training, how to I feel about having to go to court to get public records to help a client?

Tough moral and ethical issues. I am both moral and ethical (the two have no relation to each other) and am torn about the issue.

[Michael Harris]

Originally posted by Diane Jarosz
Dear Corinne,
Your words have such passion in them. I can't see how what you said could offend anyone.
Your post was beautifully written. Thank you for expressing your most intimate thoughts. I share with you those same thoughts.
DJ
Corinne,

Diane's words are more eloquent than mine. I agree with her comments completely.

You comments are passionate, sensitive, and have a loud ring of truth. Thank you for being you. :)

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Diane and Michael,
Thank you. :o

Well, I had a response all planned out on why I still believe these transcripts shouldn't be available to the public, but I've realized I'm not really sure. It's hard to give a response that's not an emotional one. I do believe that, if warranted, an investigator or family member should have access. This is not something that happens every day (thank God) and it requires special attention. But that thought got me thinking...what about other people in the world who suffer greatly? Just because it wasn't national news, doesn't mean it need to be handled any less discreetly. So you see, I am also divided. I have to think on this...

[Michael Harris]

Corinne,

I have the same torn feelings. :(

They are the same kind of feelings I get when I think a reporter or photographer gets too close or intrusive. My estranged wife and I were stringers for a paper in Manassas, VA. I was the photographer and How dare people not let me get the shot!

Tough choices. I have great arguments on both sides. I think that is what makes us sensitive to the needs of others. And that is why we are here.

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Originally posted by Michael Harris
Tough choices. I have great arguments on both sides. I think that is what makes us sensitive to the needs of others. And that is why we are here.

Michael,

I agree. I hate to say it, but there are good arguments for both sides, at least in some cases. Who differentiates between them? Why does one case get special treatment over another? I'm glad I don't make the rules, nothing would get done!

Did you say Manassas? ;) Have you ever heard of the Bug-Out? It's where all VW lovers unite! I grew up not too far from there, and I used to go every year to this event.

[Michael Harris]

Corinne,

I left that area (I lived in Haymarket) more than 12 years ago. :eek:

[Diane Jarosz]

The transcripts maybe necessary for some folks who are directly involved in the 9/11 investigations and perhaps family members who may need to mend their hearts in order to find some sort of resolve with what happened or what was happening at the time the tragedy was occurring.
I truly believe if I lost a member of my family in this horrific act, I too may want information that the public doesn't have.
KEY PHRASE: Information not privi. to the public.
In some instances we, as American citizens, don't recveive the right information and some how we are fed misinformation and we accept mostly any information without question on validity or integrity. My statement swings towards the information the news media duly( :rolleyes: ) print feeds us.

My heart screams loudly for justice for those who were left behind, those that perished, and those who suffer yet today from the days of September 11, 2001.
I am so sorry for every year we greet, there is going to be that most tragic of all days to remember in America where by too many people, will feel this sorrow and anger until the days of their death.
May God Bless all the men, women, and animals that worked at Ground Zero and may we celebrate in their remembrance keeping in mind, that we as Americans are made of each others promise, pledge and delivernace to remain united for our country for its citizens and to preserve our free and democratic life style.

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Diane,

Beautifully put. :) And you've got me thinking about the NY Times...How does that saying go? Something about reading all of it and believing only half of it? I forget.

[Chris A Brandt]

As a retired firefighter in central Iowa, I can agree with transcripts
being part of public record. They are a learning tool.

So much was learned after 9-11. #1)With input from both the fire
service and the different government entities(police,EMS also) and technologhy new more powerful radios and equipment
was developed. #2) a better Incident Command system. and many other beneficial items.

Please don't get me wrong 9-11 was a terrible tragedy and we will never forget! But we much learn, and learn to be better
ready if this ever happens again. And if it helps to share information as to what happened and how we might learn from each other. At the very least how we feel, or how we felt
that terrible day.

:(
Chris A Brandt

[Michael Harris]

Diane,

Well said.

[Michael Harris]

Chris,

The fire fighters need to hear the calls from the fire fighters and the police, but does the average American need to hear those conversations?

The question of public record or privileged record is more academic. I have feelings both ways. I will not listen to the recordings.

[Chris A Brandt]

Michael

You have a good point, those conversations are private. I've
had more time to think about it and I feel that it is a private
thing but I still feel that something good can come out of it.
The conversation between love ones should be private, But part
of me feels the conversation between emergency services and sometimes be a learning tool.
Changing gears alittle bit...

Has anyone seen the 9-11 documentary filmed by the 2 brothers
that were following the FDNY. In that film when the Firefighters
were in the lobby and the Chaplin was with them, you could
just look in the eyes of the chaplin and you could almost read
his lips. And for people like me that have stared death in the
face, I could see "the fear of god look in his eyes". I don't
know about you, but that day I was closer to god. My hopes and prayers are we never go through this again!

Chris A Brandt:)

[Diane Jarosz]

Hi Chris,
I did see the documentary that you are talking about.
My point of view is, I learned more from that film than I think I would from the 9/11 transcripts.
I'm not too sure if lessons were learned as far as correcting and updating US security. It's going to take time and many drills in order to iron out kinks in the new programs.
Many of our First Responders, FF, and police go through drills on a monthly basis.This is good. However, we need to also focus on the citizens and employees of work places, especially in the major cities of our country. There needs to be uniformed mandated drills at the work place and in our homes. (Just like fire drills are practiced).
There should be printed guidlines sent out to businesses to give to their employees as well as guidlines for the families at home. I know that Homeland Security has a website, but not everyone has a computer! What about the elderly in our country, who's assisting them, or people that live in rural areas?
Hospitals have a system to follow, but are the administrators of the hopsitals practicing their own guidlines?
Do parents sit down and talk to their children to make plans on what to do if ___________happens?
I stronlgy feel too many people in our country are laxed about the terrible threat that is lurking in the great halls of this nation and in the whispers of our nations leaders.
Business as usual is the policy,until the next time something
happens. Than what?
In observation of business owners and we as private citizens; are we being proactive in participating in preparation of drills or in the prevention of future terror?
The film made me wonder about our longevity in our country.
Personally, I am very scared about our very free existence and what it is going to look like in the future. Will we reconize ourselves?

[Michael Harris]

Diane,

Amen!

We, as a nation, still have not accepted the fact that most of the world hates us, and that we have more than our fair share of crazies internally. Most of us took the threats seriously for a few weeks or months.

I grew up in a military familiy in an era of air raid drills. I still live near military bases; we used to be able to drive through, but not now. We are aware of the hightened security - the closed bases have blocked state and county roads. The closed roads have killed several towns whose businesses could not survive not having customers from other towns. Papa Johns may have good pizza, but not good enough to travel 24 miles round trip.

Do we have emergency drills in our area? Yes, but only the emergency personnel, not the families. :(

[Chris A Brandt]

Diane

Great point of view. I agree.

Thanks
Chris A Brandt:cool: :) :cool:

[Diane Jarosz]

Hi All,

What a sad state of affairs we are engaged in.
Freedom as we enjoyed it prior to 9/11 is gone forever!
Security is going to tighten the noose on all, good American citizens as well as others.
I too lived most of my life in a military town. Heavily guarded.
When I was a child seeing soldiers marching in our town streets was common place.
My home town was the first pilot town tested for street corner survellence cameras. Big brother was watching more than 20 years ago there, long before most people in our country ever saw or even heard of cameras being proped up on polls to watch citizens. The first time I saw the cameras, I was terrified. I felt like I lived in a Communist state.


I will miss freedom past.
DJ

[Chris A Brandt]

Diane

Amen!!!!

Chris A Brandt:) :) :)

[Michael Harris]

Diane,

My town will not get cameras anytime soon. But, the high school (1450+ students and 200+ faculty & staff) has 128 surveillance cameras and a full-time police officer.

The school busses (a fleet of approx. 150) might get them. Then we start on the middle school and go down to the kindergartens and pre-school. Actually, we need them for the little ones who cannot protect themselves.

I had to visit someone in Air Force housing today. He had to come to the gate and escort me through the gate in his car (mine was left as security). The guard was Army (IQ too low to measure); if it had been an Air Force guard, I would have been able to show ID and enter on my own. Ther is inconsistent application of rules and denial of freedom at random.

Have you heard about the new rules in New Jersey for getting a license? It takes 6 points - this means multiple documents to add up to the right number. Even your expiring (still valid) license is only one point. :( ;) :rolleyes:

[Diane Jarosz]

Hi Michael,
Yes I heard about hte point system pertaning to NJ license.
My older sister lives in NJ. Her biggest complaint was about her car insurance cost.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think while there are some laws so rediculous while others are too extreme. ........................AND THAN, we have the problem with either Armed Guards and cameras in schools on street corners in the bathrooms and changing rooms and on and on and on!.
There is a place where the crack down on children should be and that's by the parents or the care takers in the home and the courts should stand by the side of the adults( for the most part), not punish them for parenting the children. I know some adults get out of hand with discipline, but I've read where some parents are subjected to THE DUMBEST rulings by the court system.
I'm not in agreement with physical disciplining of children. I find that method not worthy of parenting.
I rasied three children. I never hit them. I found tearing down posters, taking TV's and stereos out of thier bedrooms, no phone calls or visitors, extra long study time in silence and the best GROUNDING them! The hardest job in life is being a consistant parent and raising children. Been there, done it and I don't ever want to do that again! It's hard work for the most part.
My children are adults(finally:) ) with their own children. I hope they learn well from their experience growing up in my home.
So far they seem to be good at parenting, probablyy better than I was!

[Michael Harris]

Diane,

I have experienced cameras in offices, everywhere except the bathrooms.

I interviewed at a place that had audio and video surveillance everywhere (except restrooms) all the time, sometimes live monitoring from the home office. They did not tell us until later. :(

I have also experienced armed guards on every street corner (Milan and Florence).

Security in airports, etc. in Italy and Israel (and what used to be Yugoslavia) has always been much more rigorous than the US is doing now. Why are we so far behind?

There is a firm near Atlantic City, NJ that makes a cargo container for aircraft that will withstand very severe blasts, but the US govt. (the FAA) is not interested. Why?

Who is making money in the US out of the terror?

[Diane Jarosz]

Good question!

Who is making money in the US out of the terror?

[Michael Harris]

Diane,

I do not know who is making money other than lawyers, but I do know who is wasting money - The US Government. :(

[Diane Jarosz]

Michael,
interesting point!

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Wow! You guys have been busy while I was gone. ;) (I got two new kittens! ;) )

You all have interesting points, and they’re very well put. I agree that what we once knew in this country as freedom is now changed forever. How do we protect ourselves and hold onto a free (for everyone, equally) society? It seems like a hard thing to balance.

I was also raised near several military bases. Camp Peary, in Williamsburg, was home to many friends of mine. I had to stop at the gate where the guard would call my friend to make sure I was expected. I would either have a guide or my friend could come and meet me. Also, my Father worked at Ft. Eustis, which has gone from being a closed base to an open base and back again. :confused: Not to mention Cheetam Annex, Langley AFB, Oceania, and Norfolk NWS. Because all of these bases are so close, I worry that if there is another attack, my Parents might be hurt. This is why I feel personally that I have lost freedom. Worrying about such things should not be necessary in this country. BUT...complaining about it won’t solve anything, I know.


We (as a Country) are trying to plan emergency routes, but we just aren't that good at it IMO. It's true that we focus on it hole-heartedly for a month or two, then what happens? The terror fades, and somehow people forget that we still need to be prepared. Do we have to go through things like 9/11 repeatedly before someone takes this seriously!? We could learn a thing or two from other countries, I think. Is anyone looking? :(

I had to fly to Charlotte for a business trip, and I was traveling with my boss. It turned out that there was a mistake and both tickets were in his name. They didn't even notice at the airport that I had a ticket that said "a man's name" and my ID clearly said something different! It was like I didn't look like a threat and so they didn't pay much attention. Meanwhile, they're searching the bags of every (non-white-girl) other passenger behind me. How is that being safe!? Don't they understand that seeing with blinders on, letting their prejudices get the better of them, is not solving anything? Or are they just underpaid and overworked? I don't know which is the bigger problem.

On another note....Did any of you read the article I posted on surveillance/face recognition? I think I put it in the wrong place, but it's here if anyone's interested.

Face Recognition (http://www.ipiu.org/forums//showthread.php?s=&threadid=10646)

[Diane Jarosz]

Hi Corinne,
Welcome back! How are the new kittens?
I just read the articles that you posted very interesting and frightening information.
Did you read Liesl's note on microchip passports?

Interesting news was about your tickets with the boss's name on both tickets and you getting through security looking like a woman.!

[Corinne Pedriani--]

Diane,
Glad to be back! ;) The kittens are doing great; they’re sleeping in a pile on the sofa. I got them at the local shelter. I was afraid they might be sick, but they went to the vet and checked out with flying colors! :):) (one only weighs a pound, the other two)

I saw Leisl's note too. I haven't had a chance to get back to her yet. That's crazy! I've only been out a few days, but I feel like I missed so much!

Actually, I'm having a time right now-it's very frustrating! I finally have a reason to use the things I've been learning, but I can't get any results. There are two people I need to find, but I'm not having any luck. They have a common last name which is problem one. Also, Im not sure if they're in Fl or VA, problem two! On top of that, my best friend, who travels like me but is in OH right now, had her storage trailer stolen from a hotel parking lot! Everything they owned was in it, they were on the way to a new job. :(

The detective told them not to expect to get anything back, and that they would probably not catch the thief! I'm hoping someone on the forums might be able to help. It just makes me so mad that people can do something like that and get away with it! She has two small boys (3 and 6) and they also lost everything. I just wish I could help her. Right now the best hope is that the "thief" tried to use her credit card at an ATM, so the detective said he would look at the video from the bank.

I guess that stuff can come in handy sometimes, but I have a feeling they hid their face(s). Unfortunately, I also have a feeling the detective isn't going to try that hard. He could check the store across the street (if there is one) for a surveillance camera. Who knows, maybe it captured something, like a license plate maybe. He also told her that surveillance cameras don't help much because they reuse the tapes every day. What's the use!

If you have any ideas, please let me know. (sorry for getting a bit off the subject, but these thieves did terrorize her and her family!)

[Ken Rohrer]

Originally posted by Michael Harris
Transcripts of 9-11 WTC Calls Released
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - In the frenzy of phone calls that followed the terrorist attack on the first of the twin towers, trapped workers begged in vain for an escape route and anguished wives desperately sought lost husbands...<blockquote>Does anyone know of a link on the net to the entire transcripts of the event? So far I can only find parts that have been highlighted by the news agencies.</blockquote>