Fire Helmet, Recovered
- Description
- Recovered leather fire helmet belonging to Firefighter Kevin M. Prior. On the front of the helmet is a crushed leather front piece with the identifier "252 | 3918." The helmet is severely damaged with the sides crushed together, the leather warped, and the Plexiglass visor completely detached.
- Historical Notes
- Lifelong Bellmore, Long Island, resident Kevin M. Prior joined his local fire department’s junior unit at age 14. He went on to make a career as a firefighter with FDNY Squad 252. Outside of work, Kevin fished and went scuba diving off his boat, Fire Escape. He and his fiancée took a trip to Ireland in summer 2001. On September 11, Firefighter Prior responded to the North Tower. He was 28 years old.
Curator's Comment
On 9/11, Firefighter Kevin Prior responded to the North Tower with his unit, FDNY Squad 252. Prior's helmet, resistant to heat, flame, and impact, was designed to protect him under the harshest conditions. Recovered at Ground Zero, the helmet was identified as Prior's through the still attached badge and company numbers. Crushed and split apart at the reinforcing seams, it conveys the force of the tower's collapse.
Prior’s body was recovered three weeks after 9/11, but his helmet remained missing. This troubled his mother, Marian Prior. Her appearance on the Crossing Over television show would lead to the helmet’s return. Following the episode that featured Marian Prior, she was contacted by an employee of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner who had seen the program and who told her the helmet was in the custody of the medical examiner. The helmet was delivered to her home.
Prior’s body was recovered three weeks after 9/11, but his helmet remained missing. This troubled his mother, Marian Prior. Her appearance on the Crossing Over television show would lead to the helmet’s return. Following the episode that featured Marian Prior, she was contacted by an employee of the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner who had seen the program and who told her the helmet was in the custody of the medical examiner. The helmet was delivered to her home.
- Accession Number: C.2011.290.1
- Dimensions: 6.25 in X 15.5 in X 11.5 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 15.875 cm X 39.37 cm X 29.21 cm
- Source: Gerard and Marian Prior
- Credit Line: Gift of Marian and Gerard Prior in memory of their son F.F. Kevin M. Prior
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