CONTACT: Bill Glanz 202 824-1566 202 329-5856 (cell) Scott Treibitz 703 276-2772, ext. 11 703 626-1407
Giuliani’s 9/11 Failures of Leadership Exposed by Fire Fighters in Dramatic Video
Giuliani Bungled Preparation in Years After 1993 Attack on Trade Center
WASHINGTON – Critical failures by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani before, during and after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, raise serious questions about his ability to be commander-in- chief, a video made available July 11 at 5 p.m. to every member of the International Association of Fire Fighters illustrates in graphic detail.
In the 13:05 minute documentary, fire fighters, fire officers and family members give dramatic testimony about Giuliani’s leadership failures. Their dramatic stories tell how Giuliani failed to provide the FDNY with radios that worked, which led to the deaths of 121 fire fighters inside the World Trade Center’s North Tower because they were unable to hear orders to evacuate.
Fire fighters also point to Giuliani’s poor judgment in placing his emergency command center at 7 World Trade Center, a known terrorist target after the 1993 bombing.
The video documents the mayor’s lack of respect for the fallen when he called off the recovery effort at Ground Zero on Nov. 1, 2001, after $200 million in gold bullion was recovered.
The video and other material exposing Giuliani’s record is being posted on www.rudy-urbanlegend.com, where it is available to the general public.
“We produced this documentary because we need to make sure our members know Giuliani’s real record,” said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.
“The UFA participated in this video to correct the myth that Rudy Giuliani has perpetrated on the American public,” said Steve Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, IAFF Local 94.
The Giuliani campaign defended the former mayor’s record by issuing a release that lists items he purchased for FDNY. (more)
Page 2 of 2 IAFF Press Release
“But the campaign, with its response, has neglected to address the charges of failed leadership outlined in our documentary,” President Schaitberger said.
Purchasing equipment for a fire department doesn’t qualify any mayor to be president, said Jack McDonnell, president of New York City Local 854, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.
“If that’s the litmus test for president of the United States, then most mayors in this country qualify for the job. Giuliani is running on his 9/11 record, and his 9/11 record is laced with failures in preparedness and response,” McDonnell said.
The IAFF has not made an endorsement in the 2008 presidential election. Local 94 supported President George W. Bush in the 2004 election, while the IAFF and Local 854 endorsed Sen. John Kerry.
Note to editors: Fire fighters and family members who participated in the IAFF documentary will be available for interviews Thursday in New York City by appointment. Call Bill Glanz, 202 824- 1566, or Scott Treibitz, 703 276-2772, ext. 11, to schedule an appointment.
The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 280,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in every state in the United States and in Canada. More information is available at www.iaff.org and at www.rudy-urbanlegend.com
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