The First NYC Fire Chief to Arrive at World Trade Center on 9/11 Shares His Story John McLoughlin, the then Chief of Operations for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), arrived at the World Trade Center around 8:45 am on September 11, 2001.
He was among the first responders to reach the site after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower. McLoughlin's swift response has been extensively documented in various accounts and investigations.
Understanding the Response: The First NYC Fire Chief's Arrival on 9/11 McLoughlin, a seasoned firefighter with over two decades of experience, joined the FDNY in 1972.