Duffel Bag, Recovered
- Description
- Recovered red duffel bag belonging to Gerard A. Barbara. The bag is labeled "FIRE | FIGHTER" in large black letters on the front. The bag shows no signs of dust or damage.
- Historical Notes
- Born in Brooklyn, Gerard Barbara lived on Staten Island with his wife, Joanne. The couple had two grown children. With a firefighting career spanning 31 years, on September 11, Gerard was serving as Assistant Chief of Department and Citywide Tour Commander. That morning, Assistant Chief Barbara responded from FDNY headquarters, subsequently assisting command outside the South Tower. He was 53 years old.
Curator's Comment
Alarms transmitted across New York City called 23 engine and ladder companies to respond to a plane crash at “Box 8087,” the FDNY’s shorthand reference for the World Trade Center. FDNY Assistant Chief of Department Gerard Barbara arrived there soon after the North Tower was hit, wearing his Class A uniform, a dress uniform worn by FDNY officers when representing the department in a public capacity. Upon arriving at the scene, he changed into bunker gear before heading to the South Tower to establish a command post.
Barbara's uniform and this duffel bag were later found inside the FDNY vehicle he drove to the scene.
Barbara's uniform and this duffel bag were later found inside the FDNY vehicle he drove to the scene.
- Accession Number: C.2009.413.30
- Dimensions: 15 in X 22 in X 3 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 38.1 cm X 55.88 cm X 7.62 cm
- Source: Joanne Barbara
- Credit Line: Gift of Joanne Barbara, Caren Barbara-Villarreal and Paul Barbara
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