Joe Finley

Joe Finley a third generation firefighter was retired in 2002 due to breathing ailments from the fallout from 9/11/01. He is married to his wife of 26 years, Maryellen and has two young adult children; Brendan, 23 and Megan, 19. Joe’s family has been serving the people of New York City as members of the FDNY since 1904 and currently there is still family in the Fire Department of the City of New York. Maryellen’s father was also a member of the FDNY and there are many family members in the NYPD as well. In 2002 Joe was invited to sit on the dais and speak at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. It was only a few months since the terrorist attack on 9/11/01. The work at the Ground Zero Pit was barely underway and the country was still reeling from the murderous, cowardly attack. Unaccustomed to public speaking and a bit uncomfortable with the idea of such a grand venue Joe considered it his duty to the 9 firefighters from his firehouse that made the supreme sacrifice. Prior to 9-11, the largest loss of firefighters at any one time in New York City was in October 1966, when 12 firefighters lost their lives in Manhattan’s 23rd Street fire. Joe’s father, Lieutenant John Finley of Ladder 7, was one of them. Joe was 10 years old. Family concerns for safety led Joe to a 12 year career in advertising, six years as partner in his own business. But Joe continued to feel called to follow his father’s footsteps at Ladder 7 in midtown Manhattan, where Joe served as a firefighter for 12 years. Joe’s unique experience with the tragedy of losing his father in the line of duty, his time at Ground Zero and as a veteran firefighter compels him to share his testimony about 9/11. Currently Joe and his family live near Nashville, Tennessee.