U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know
        world globe
        Languages
      EnglishEspañolFrançaisKreyòlTiếng Việt简体中文한국어 **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS** A **lock** (
A locked padlock
) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
              .
  Apply for Assistance


                Toggle Menu

    close
            Disasters & Assistance
                  
                                                      Current DisastersCalifornia Severe StormsHermit's Peak/Calf Canyon FireMaine Severe StormsMichigan Severe StormsRhode Island Severe Storms (December 2023)Rhode Island Severe Storms (January 2024)Washington WildfiresWildfire ActionsWrangell Cooperative Association Severe StormAll Disaster Declarations
Assistance After a DisasterGovernments and Private Non-ProfitsIndividuals and Families
Tools to RecoverCommon RumorsDisaster Multimedia ToolkitDisaster-Related FAQFEMA in Your LanguageSave Your Family TreasuresVolunteer & Donate
General Disaster InformationSearch Your LocationHow a Disaster Gets DeclaredDisaster AuthoritiesHistoric DisastersGrants
                  
                                                      FEMA GrantsPreparedness GrantsHazard Mitigation Assistance GrantsResilience GrantsContinuing Training Grants ProgramEmergency Food and Shelter ProgramShelter and Services Program
Policy & GuidanceProcurement & Contracting"Buy America" PreferenceBipartisan Infrastructure LawLow-Carbon Goals2 CFR Policy Updates
ToolsAuthorized Equipment ListBenefit-Cost AnalysisEnvironmental & Historic Preservation GuidanceFEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO)Grants Management Technical AssistanceNon-Disaster Grants Management SystemFloods & Maps
                  
                                                      Flood InsuranceFind an Insurance FormWork with National Flood InsuranceNFIP’s Pricing ApproachInsurance Outreach PublicationsRules and LegislationFlood Insurance Advocate
Floodplain ManagementManage Floodplain RiskGet Financial HelpCommunity Assistance Program for StatesCommunity Rating SystemFloodplains & Wildlife ConservationIntergovernmental Collaboration
Flood MapsFlood Data Viewers & Geospatial DataChange Your Flood Zone DesignationRisk MAPProducts and ToolsGuidance & ReportsCooperating Technical Partners
Know Your RiskHomeowners, Renters or Business OwnersCommunity OfficialsEngineers, Surveyors or ArchitectsReal Estate, Lending or Insurance ProfessionalsState, Local, Tribal or Territorial GovernmentsEmergency Management
                  
                                                      National PreparednessTraining & EducationNational Incident Management System (NIMS)National Planning FrameworksNational Preparedness GoalContinuity Resource ToolkitEquityExercises
Risk ManagementHazard Mitigation PlanningClimate ResilienceBuilding ScienceEarthquake RiskDam SafetyHurricane, Wind & Water Surge HazardsHazardous Response Capabilities
Tools for PractitionersIntegrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS)Planning GuidesCommunity LifelinesEnvironmental Planning & Historic PreservationRecovery ResourcesCase Study LibraryPrepTalks
Individuals & CommunitiesPreparedness Activities, Research & WebinarsFaith-Based & Volunteer Partnership ResourcesYouth & Emergency PlanningCommunity Emergency Response Team (CERT)Activities to Reduce Risk for Your HomeAbout
                  
                                                      About UsHow FEMA WorksStrategic PlanOffices & LeadershipRegions, States & TerritoriesTribal AffairsHow to Pay FEMAHistory of FEMAContact Us
NewsroomBlogEventsFact SheetsFEMA LiveMobile ProductsNewslettersPress ReleasesPodcastSocial Media
Reports & DataAnnual ReportsData VisualizationsDisaster Relief Fund ReportsFEMA Guidance DocumentsGlossaryOpenFEMAResilience Analysis & Planning Tool
FEMA in ActionWe Are FEMADisaster ResilienceTwenty Years Later: 9/11Work With Us
                  
                                                      CareersBenefitsCareer PathsHow to ApplyRecruitment EventsFEMA Employee Resources
Business and OrganizationsDoing Business with FEMANational Business Emergency Operations Center
PartnershipsCommunity Disaster Resilience ZonesEmergency Manager ExchangeFederal Agency Mission AssignmentsResilient Nation Partnership NetworkApply for Assistance

world globe
        Languages
      EnglishEspañolFrançaisKreyòlTiếng Việt简体中文한국어  About
              
              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

              Newsroom
                          Newsroom

                      Blog
                  
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                                                          Events
                                                Fact Sheets
                                                FEMA Live
                                                Mobile Products
                                                Newsletters
                                                Press Releases
                                                Podcast
                                                Social Media
                              
                                                            About Us
                                                                                  Reports & Data
                                                        FEMA in Action
          Serving A Higher Purpose: Bob Fenton Remembers 9/11
world globeEnglish
    Español
Release Date
              September 8, 2021

            Bob Fenton

In 2001, Bob Fenton was an Operations Senior Program Specialist in FEMA Region 9. On the morning of Sept. 11, he had just arrived via an overnight flight from California for a meeting at the agency’s Region 3 headquarters in Philadelphia.

Like so many others that day, Bob and his colleagues gathered around a television, watching the events unfold. They were worried about the fate of FEMA employees at Region 2 headquarters in New York City and the effect the events would have on the agency. Later that morning, Bob got a call from agency leadership asking him to come and lead the response at the World Trade Center.

The next day, Bob entered Manhattan for the first time in his life. “The feeling was surreal,” said Bob, “...to drive into the city with no traffic. What I had seen on TV and in movies was nowhere to be found, it was all replaced by deserted, smoke and debris filled streets and a smell that lingered on your clothes.”

The first couple days after the attack were marked with uncertainty. Communications had been destroyed and command and control had yet to be established for the mission. While the main goal at the site was to save people and do everything possible to support first responders, other critical objectives were difficult to prioritize. A short time later, the city’s priorities were finalized and focused on a massive search and rescue mission, complete with equipment such as cranes, specialized torches, and lumber to shore up unstable areas. Another top priority was restoring communications to the area. “You could look down the street, and for blocks you’d see people splicing together fiber optic cables,” said Bob.

Four or five days after arriving, Bob handed over the responsibility for operations to Federal Coordinating Office Bill Carwile but stayed in New York City supporting the response and recovery for 21 more days as Deputy Operations Section Chief.

When thinking back on the work the agency accomplished, Bob remembers how everyone worked toward a higher purpose in service of the nation. “We were all working urgently, doing anything we could to expedite recovery. We did some really special things,” added Bob. “The New York Fire Department came to us for help after losing so many of their own that day. We helped them by providing a fire engine staffed with Urban Search and Rescue personnel, who also helped answer 911 calls around the city.” An especially poignant mission came as a direct request from the NYFD to support firefighter funerals. “Firefighter memorials are elaborate and meaningful. It was so important that we made sure we provided them with everything they needed to uphold their traditions and history. About 250 employees, including those at the U.S. Fire Administration, partnered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and other charitable organizations to ensure the funerals met the expectations of both the firefighting community and the families who had lost a loved one that day.”

Bob remembers the genuine need that drove people around the nation to volunteer at the site. “I remember being near the World Trade Center, and there was a police car from Miami.”

Bob eventually left New York as part of a team who were tasked with planning for potential risks and threats from the country’s move toward war. “I still remember the message boards set up in the city,” said Bob. “They brought home the reality of how many people lost their lives, and the lasting impact the day would have on the nation.”

Since joining FEMA in 1996, Bob Fenton has served in many leadership roles and responded to more than 50 Presidentially declared disasters. Currently, Bob is FEMA Region 9 Regional Administrator, a position he has held since 2015.
      Tags:
  All
  New York

  September 11
Last updated September 8, 2021

            Return to top Disasters & Assistance
      
    
                  Grants
      
    
                  Floods & Maps
      
    
                  Emergency Management
      
    
                  About
      
    
                  Work With Us

Facebook

          Instagram


          Twitter

          YouTube

          LinkedIn

          Newsletter

        Contact FEMA

DHS logo
              FEMA.govAn official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
          Accessibility
                Accountability
                Careers
                Civil Rights
                Contact Us
                FOIA
                Glossary
                No FEAR Act
                Plug-Ins
                Privacy
                Report Disaster Fraud
                Website Information
                DHS.gov
                USA.gov
                Inspector General