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Son of FDNY chief killed on 9/11 promoted to captain

Among the FDNY promotions today at Christian Cultural Center were Peter Ganci III, son of the late Chief of Dept Peter Ganci one of 75 officers promoted Thursday. (Photo by Todd Maisel)

FDNY Chief of Department Peter Ganci was killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11, and on Thursday, his son, Peter Ganci III was promoted to captain.

Peter Ganci III was promoted to captain along with 30 other officers by the department at the Christian Cultural Center in Canarsie, Brooklyn to the cheers of fellow firefighters. He was accompanied by his mom, Kathleen, who was sitting with her numerous grandchildren and Ganci’s brother, Christopher, who is also one of New York’s Bravest.

On the morning of the attacks, Ganci’s father was scheduled for jury duty, but after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower (One World Trade Center), he and Chief of Operations Daniel Nigro, now commissioner, rushed to the scene, setup a command post and then witnessed United Flight 175  hit the South Tower.

Ganci instructed then Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, fire commissioner Thomas Von Essen and others to clear the area because he believed the North Tower would fall. Ganci himself did not evacuate the area, saying, “I’m not leaving my men,” and remained at that location with Deputy Commissioner William Feehan. Both Ganci and Feehan were killed when the second tower collapsed.

“Captain Ganci is the son of my good friend Chief Ganci and he led the operations at the World Trade Center,” Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. “He would’ve like to have seen his son climb the ranks and continue the name Ganci in the name of service to this city.”

Daniel Nigro, who joined the department in 1969 and is 32nd Fire Commissioner in the 150-year history, was also celebrating his 50th year with the FDNY.

Lauren Judson — one of only 100 female firefighters currently among New York’s Bravest —  was also promoted to captain. She is a highly regarded lieutenant from Ladder 25 on the Upper West Side and one of the few women commanders in the field.

Among the FDNY promotions today at Christian Cultural Center is newly promoted Captain Lauren Judson, the only female in 75 officers promoted Thursday. (Photo by Todd Maisel)

“These veterans have many years experience fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies and helping people and they will bring these skills to lead others in the field,” Nigro concluded.

Fans of the 75 officers promoted today put up banners in their support. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
Commissioner Daniel Nigro, (right) celebrates 50 years with the FDNY. Next to him on left is Chief of Department John Sudnik.(Photo by Todd Maisel)