On September 11, 2001, Chief Peter J. Ganci Jr., chief of the New York City Fire Department, was killed at the World Trade Center disaster. He died a hero, as he managed to get 50 firemen to safety. He would not leave his men behind, as he knew that the second tower would come down.

Peter Ganci Jr. served 33 years in the city fire department. He was appointed on Sept. 14, 1968.

He started out with Engine 92. In 1972, he went to Ladder 111 and in August of 1977 he became lieutenant at Ladder 124. In June of 1983, he became captain at Ladder 18 and became battalion chief in August 1987. In 1993, Ganci became a battalion deputy chief (Division 1), assistant chief of operations in Sept. 1996 and went onto chief of operations in Jan. 1997.

Acting as chief of the department in 1998, he was officially promoted to the top job in Oct. 1999.

In addition to being chief of the New York City Fire Department, Ganci was also a valuable member of the Farmingdale Fire Department. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Christopher and Peter III, who is also a member of Ladder 111, and his daughter Danielle. He will be sorely missed.