Uniform Cap, Recovered
- Description
- Recovered FDNY Class A white "Ranking Bell Crown" firefighter dress uniform cap belonging to Gerard A. Barbara. The cap is white with a black visor. A gold-colored standard issue "FD" button is attached to the top part of the hat on the face. The visor of the cap has gold-colored thread embroidery, and a gold strap covers the front of the cap band.
- Historical Notes
- Born in Brooklyn, Gerard A. 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 dress uniform, including this cap, were later found inside the FDNY vehicle he drove to the scene.
Barbara's dress uniform, including this cap, were later found inside the FDNY vehicle he drove to the scene.
- Accession Number: C.2009.413.16
- Dimensions: 4 in X 9 in X 9.5 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 10.16 cm X 22.86 cm X 24.13 cm
- Source: Joanne Barbara
- Credit Line: Gift of Joanne Barbara, Caren Barbara-Villarreal and Paul Barbara
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