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The Men of Engine 6
This "Riding List" from Engine 6 shows the duty roster for September 11. It was never erased.

On September 11, firefighters from Engine 6 were dispatched to the World Trade Center. This chalkboard called a "Riding List" shows the duty roster for September 11. It was never erased.

Thomas O'Hagan — OFF. = Officer
Jack Butler — M.P.O. = Motor Pump Operator, chauffer
Paul Beyer — NOZ. = Nozzle
Billy Green — B.U. = Back-up
Thomas P. Holohan — CONT = Control
William "Billy" Johnston — DOOR. = Door
Robert Emans — M.P.O

The New York State Museum is indebted to the family and friends of the members of Engine 6 for their dedication to the exhibition and for providing biographical information on these fallen heroes.

Paul Beyer
FIREFIGHTER PAUL BEYER
Born in 1963 on Staten Island, New York
Survived by his wife Arlene and two children, Michael and Shawn
Appointed to the Fire Department on October 24, 1993

Paul Beyer was a loving family man and a dominant presence in their lives. He had a warm smile, quiet sense of humor, and “great hugs.” As a skilled machinist and mechanic, Paul could fix anything and was always willing to lend a hand. He was particularly talented at laying paving stones. Whether it was horseback riding, flying model airplanes, leading the boys’ Boy Scout Troop, or off-roading in his Jeep, in his gentle dignity, Paul was always there for family and friends.

Paul was known as a strong firefighter who preformed his job with courage and integrity, fulfilling his lifelong dream. A fellow firefighter eulogized him as being “a tiger at heart, a real Superman. He never complained, never got angry, and didn’t talk the talk; he walked the walk.”

Arlene and Paul were in the process of building their new home when this tragedy struck. Paul was doing much of the work himself, and not surprisingly, he was able to master every job he tackled. Fellow firefighters and friends will complete the project. A Maltese Cross, the symbol of firefighters, with Paul’s badge number, has been carved into the chimney.

William "Billy" Johnston
FIREFIGHTER WILLIAM “BILLY” JOHNSTON

Survived by his parents, one brother and two sisters
Appointed to the Fire Department February 1, 2000

William “Billy” Johnston was pursuing his dream as a New York City firefighter. Shortly after fire academy graduation, Billy became a member of Engine Company 276, Ladder 156 in Brooklyn and was on a one-year rotation to Engine Company 6.

Billy was an outstanding athlete and his ultimate love was soccer. He loved sports and was a diehard Jets, Yankees and Rangers fan. Billy played in the Empire State Games for the past two years and his team took home the gold and bronze medals. As a member of the FDNY, Billy joined football, softball, and basketball teams. Before his death, Billy was playing in a softball tournament in Maryland and will fondly be remembered by his fellow firefighters as the guy with the Gilligan hat.

As a loyal friend, Billy maintained lifelong friendships with his buddies from elementary school. Billy was frequently referred to as the “life of the party” and his practical jokes were legendary to friends and co-workers. Billy was always ready with a quick laugh, a helping hand and a ready smile.

Firefighter Thomas P. Holohan
FIREFIGHTER THOMAS P. HOLOHAN
Born in 1965 in Orange County, New York
Survived by his wife Colleen and three children, Thomas, Caitlyn, Liam
Appointed to the Fire Department February 5, 1995

Thomas Holohan started working as an auditor at Manhattan Trust, but his ultimate goal was to be a firefighter and, in 1995, he was appointed to the New York City Fire Department. At the time of the disaster, Tom had been studying very hard for an upcoming lieutenant’s test. His friends and family feel he would have done well.

Tom's family has a rich history with the FDNY. His grandfather, a battalion chief, was there when a plane crashed into the Empire State Building in 1945; his uncle, a captain, was injured in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center; and two cousins are also firemen. Tom was proud to join the ranks.

Tom was full of hopes and dreams for his family’s future, and they were foremost in his thoughts. As his family grew, Tom built his dream house for his wife and three children in 2000. Tom would take his older son and daughter to the game fields every week, and help coach the team. Tom’s family, friends, and company members will miss his cheerful presence that made all who knew him feel special and loved everyday. “The world lost a great man, one of New York's Bravest,” said Tom’s wife Colleen.

Lietenant Thomas O'Hagan
LIEUTENANT THOMAS O'HAGAN
Born in 1958 in the Bronx, New York
Survived by his wife Andrea, and twin sons Patrick and Pierce
Appointed to the Fire Department July 11, 1981

As a child, Tom dreamed of becoming a fireman and shortly after his 23rd birthday, he was appointed to the New York City Fire Department. Tom was promoted to Lieutenant in October 2000. He spent his career at various stations including Engine 95 in Inwood, Engine 58 in Harlem, Engine 79 on Briggs Avenue and Engine 52 in Riverdale. He was most recently serving at Engine 6 on Beekman Street.

Tom was an incredibly kind, generous, and gentle man who loved his large family and loyal friends. His twin sons and wife were his pride and joy, and he spent every moment having fun with them. Tom made many friends during his bartending days in Manhattan and the Hamptons, not to mention his Famous Amos cookie route. He will be remembered for his take-charge attitude, his love of golf, cooking, swimming and relaxing on the beach, and impeccable dressing.

His family remembers him with a quotation from Shakespeare: “His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, ‘This was a man.’”


Billy Green was one of five firefighters who entered the North Tower. September 11, 2001 was supposed to be his day off. He was covering a shift when his crew was called to the World Trade Center. Of the five firefighters who entered the North Tower, Green was the only firefighter from Engine 6 to survive the collapse.

Video footage courtesy of Turn of the Century Pictures.

Jack Butler was the responding firefighter/chauffeur who drove the Engine 6 Pumper to the Trade Center. It was his duty to stay with the truck and hook it up to the building's standpipe system. Butler escaped the truck prior to the collapse of the North' Tower.

Video footage courtesy of Turn of the Century Pictures.