This is the amazing, true story of Gerald Sanford, a former New York City police officer and FDNY firefighter who retired and moved to Naples, Florida. Retirement didn’t take, and he found himself working at North Naples Fire Control and Rescue District, which is how he stumbled on an early 1900s antique fire helmet. He instantly knew the helmet was from New York City. By an amazing coincidence, Sanford presented the fire helmet back to the FDNY firehouse in the Bronx the day before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. With the city in ruins, Sanford volunteered to serve the FDNY in one of his former roles-press secretary. In this memoir, he recalls volunteering after 9/11 as well as his earlier years working for the NYPD and FDNY, including his observations of political figures such as Mayor Ed Koch, Mayor David Dinkins, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and others. Join Sanford as he shares an incredible story about Sept. 11 and how an antique leather helmet led two fire departments to forge a lasting bond.
Meet The Authors
Gerald Sanford
Gerald ‘Jerry’ Sanford is a retired FDNY firefighter living in Naples, Florida. After serving 29 years with the FDNY he then served 17 years with North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District as their public information officer and retired for a second time. Jerry then decided to share his remarkable story about September 11th and how the two fire departments were connected by an antique leather helmet.
Chris Griffith
Chris Griffith is a real estate agent turned writer from Bonita Springs, Florida. Chris & Jerry met while volunteering for veteran’s organizations in the Southwest Florida area. Having written real estate columns for a variety of newspaper and magazine publications Chris graduated to books so that she could document and share Jerry’s remarkable story about September 11th and the helmet.
The Helmet
The Helmet is currently located at Engine 73/Ladder 42 in the Bronx, New York City, NY. It was presented to the captain of Ladder 42, Joseph Biglietta, on September 10, 2001 when the remodeled firehouse was re-dedicated. The day before September 11th. The helmet was worn by George Kunze Sr. and is estimated to dated around 1914. Mr. Kunze served with the FDNY for thirty-four years at Ladder 42.