Welles Crowther, remembered as the “Man in the Red Bandana,” was shaped by years of training and service at a volunteer firehouse in Upper Nyack, New York. His mother credited that experience with helping him rescue people during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The firehouse’s president says Crowther’s actions reflected a culture of preparation, sacrifice and responsibility to others. Crowther was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony held in September 2026.
| 1) | Crowther’s early connection to the firehouse |
| 2) | The rescue actions that made him a national symbol |
| 3) | How volunteer service influenced his response |
| 4) | The continuing cost of the September 11 attacks |
| 5) | A call for the next generation of volunteers |
Crowther’s early connection to the firehouse
Crowther began spending time at Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in Upper Nyack from childhood. According to company president David “Trevor” Gottlieb, Crowther formally became involved around 1993, after growing up in a family connected to the department. His father, Jefferson Crowther, had served as a captain and treasurer, making the firehouse part of the family’s daily life.
Gottlieb, who joined the company in 1988, said he worked with Crowther from 1993 onward. He described the department as a multigenerational organization where training, discipline and mutual responsibility were learned over time. That environment gave Crowther practical experience while reinforcing the expectation that members help others in danger.
The rescue actions that made him a national symbol
On September 11, 2001, Crowther was working as a stockbroker in the South Tower of the World Trade Center when the attacks began. He was known to carry a red bandana in his wallet, and survivors later identified him by the item as he helped people move through the burning building.
Gottlieb said Crowther assisted at least 18 civilians to safety before losing his own life. His actions, carried out amid smoke, fire, destruction and confusion, later made him a lasting symbol of selfless conduct. His mother, Alison Crowther, has said the training and experience he gained at the Upper Nyack firehouse helped him act effectively during the emergency.
“When you’re faced with 108 floors and the chaos and the destruction all around you, when you sit back and rely on your training, on how you were brought up, I think that makes your job much easier,” Gottlieb said.
How volunteer service influenced his response
Gottlieb said Crowther’s decision to remain in the tower and assist others reflected the principles practiced at the firehouse. The department emphasizes community service, readiness and trust among its members. Those values are intended to guide volunteers when they confront emergencies, regardless of a person’s religion, politics or background.
The company president said the firehouse’s close relationships also mattered. Members are taught that they must rely on one another and accept responsibility for people who need help. In his view, Crowther’s response was both a personal act of courage and an expression of the broader volunteer firefighting tradition.
“Somebody made the decision to not run. They made the decision to stay and help,” Gottlieb said. “You’re somebody who needs help.”
The continuing cost of the September 11 attacks
The firehouse continues to remember Crowther alongside the firefighters and emergency personnel who died in the attacks. Gottlieb noted that 343 firefighters were killed on September 11, and said the department has also lost two members, Harry Wanamaker Jr. and Joe Stach Jr., to illnesses related to the attacks.
Plaques outside Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 commemorate those losses and the lasting effect on their families. The deaths show that the consequences of September 11 extended far beyond the day itself, affecting survivors, responders and communities for decades. Crowther’s posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom recognition in 2026 added another national tribute to that history.
A call for the next generation of volunteers
Gottlieb said volunteer fire departments need more members as people face competing demands on their time. He encouraged residents to join local departments or contribute in whatever way they can, arguing that service provides training, practical skills and a stronger connection to the community.
His message is also part of the legacy associated with Crowther: communities are strengthened when people prepare to help others before a crisis occurs. For Empire Hook and Ladder, that means preserving a culture of service that has continued across generations while inviting new volunteers to take part.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Crowther was raised around Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in Upper Nyack. |
| 2 | He helped lead at least 18 civilians to safety during the September 11 attacks. |
| 3 | Firehouse leaders say training, sacrifice and community service shaped his response. |
| 4 | The department continues to honor members lost to September 11-related illnesses. |
| 5 | The company is urging more residents to volunteer with local fire departments. |
Summary
Welles Crowther’s story combines individual courage with the influence of a close-knit volunteer firehouse. His actions in the South Tower demonstrated how training and a commitment to helping others can guide decisions during an extreme crisis. Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 continues to preserve his memory while emphasizing the need for volunteers and community responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Welles Crowther?
Welles Crowther was a stockbroker in the South Tower who helped at least 18 civilians reach safety during the September 11 attacks before he died.
Why was he called the “Man in the Red Bandana”?
Crowther carried a red bandana in his wallet, and survivors used it to identify the person who was helping people escape the burning tower.
What role did the Upper Nyack firehouse play in his life?
Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 provided Crowther with firefighting training and a longstanding model of community service, teamwork and sacrifice.
