Orio Palmer
| Orio Palmer | |
|---|---|
Palmer's name is located on Panel S-17 of the National September 11 Memorial's South Pool, along with those of other first responders.
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| Born |
Orio Joseph Palmer March 2, 1956 |
| Died | September 11, 2001 (aged 45) South Tower, 2 World Trade Center, New York City |
| Cause of death | Collapse of the South Tower |
| Residence | Valley Stream, New York |
| Other names | Orio |
| Education | Associate degree (Electrical Technology) |
| Alma mater | Cardinal Spellman High School; Westchester Community College |
| Occupation | Battalion Chief, FDNY Battalion 7; Firefighter |
| Employer | Fire Department of New York |
| Known for | Lost his life while rescuing civilians trapped inside the World Trade Center on 9/11; first to reach the impact zone in 2 World Trade Center. |
| Notable work | Numerous papers and articles regarding Firefighting and Firefighter Safety; article(s) regarding Radio communications in High-rise building fires and use of repeaters to ensure communication while fighting High-rise building fires. |
| Television | 9/11 (CBS); In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01 (HBO) |
| Title | Battalion Chief |
| Spouse(s) | Debbie Palmer |
| Children | 3 |
| Call-sign | Battalion 7 |
| Awards | Numerous Medals of Valor, Unit Citations |
Orio Joseph Palmer (March 2, 1956 – September 11, 2001) was a Battalion Chief of the New York City Fire Department who died while rescuing civilians trapped inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Palmer led the team of firefighters that reached the 78th floor of the South Tower, the floor where the plane had struck the building.
According to The 9/11 Commission Report, audio and video recordings prominently featuring Orio Palmer have played an important role in the ongoing analysis of problems with radio communications during the September 11 attacks.
Palmer graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in The Bronx, New York in 1974. He held an associate degree in electrical technology.
According to John Norman, Palmer was very fit and ran marathon races. Historian Peter Charles Hoffer wrote that Palmer was "in superb condition".
Reporter Michael Daly wrote, "The 45-year-old Palmer was one of the department's rising stars, renowned for his smarts and nerve and decency, as well as his physical fitness." He was married to Debbie Palmer, and had three children, Dana, Keith and Alyssa. Palmer finished the New York City marathon as well as a dozen half-marathons and a couple of triathlons. Orio was also the first FDNY member to be awarded the department's physical fitness award five times.
He was said to be one of the "most knowledgeable people in the department" about radio communication in high-rise fires, and authored a training article for the department on how to use repeaters to boost radio reception during such emergencies. Palmer was also published in a number of nationally distributed firefighting magazines as well as the internal FDNY newsletter. He also taught FDNY promotional classes at night while working toward his own bachelor's degree in Fire Engineering from John Jay College.
Footage of Palmer was used in the CBS film 9/11, and later in the HBO film In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01. The video footage was shot by French documentary filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet at the North Tower. It shows Palmer conferring with Deputy Chief Peter Hayden and Assistant Chief Donald Burns at the North Tower. The South Tower had just been hit. The men discuss how to respond to the two towers, and the communications problems they faced. The sound of a falling body hitting pavement outside reverberates. According to Michael Daly, "Palmer stood steady and calm, an air pack on his back, a red flashlight bound with black elastic to his white helmet, a radio in his left hand. His face showed only a readiness to do whatever was needed." The men decided that Burns and Palmer would proceed to the South Tower.
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