Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Joe Torrillo served a 25-year career as a Lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department. Joe spent the first 15 years of his career in Engine Company #10, across the street from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. In 1997, after suffering a severe injury on the job, Joe was named Director in the Office of Fire Safety and Education after eight months working for the program. During his time as Director, Mr. Torrillo spearheaded the making of the Fire Zone Learning Center, a state-of-the-art fire-safety learning center in Manhattan.
On his way to a press conference on September 11, 2001, Joe was just blocks away from World Trade Center when American Airlines flight #11 struck the South Tower. Fearing for his brothers across the street in Engine and Ladder Companies #10, Joe raced to the scene to help. When the South Tower fell at 9:59 a.m., Joe was buried alive with severe injuries, including a broken skull, crushed spine and heavy internal bleeding. After being rescued and evacuated to a nearby boat on the Hudson River, Joe was buried alive again – alone in the engine room – when the North Tower fell. Having once again been cleared from the debris, Joe later awoke in a hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey. Today Joe travels the world inspiring others by sharing with his stories of commitment, perseverance and overcoming adversities.
