Joe’s shift at the Jersey City Fire Department communication center ended shortly after the first plane struck the south tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Dispatch informed me that a plane had hit the first tower, and when the second plane hit, we (Richmond Ambulance Service in Richmond, Virginia) went into emergency mode.

The smoke billowing from the South Tower mesmerized Lenore - “this can’t be happening, it was surreal,” she thought to herself – and then her cell phone rang.

Dispatcher Micky Fyock recounts tragedy that shook country.

How 9/11 changed one dispatcher’s life forever.

My account is one of chaos and shock, but more importantly, it is a story of leadership and teamwork.

Engine 6 comes over the radio screaming, “Manhattan Transmit a Second Alarm!!! We just had a plane hit the Trade Center!!!!” The phone lines exploded.