FDNY FIRE MARSHAL

RONALD BUCCA

It is with deepest regret and sorrow that we have to report to you that Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca of IAFF Local 854, Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York, NY is missing in the line of duty at the scene of the World Trade Center Incident. Fire Marshal Bucca, a veteran arson investigator from Manhattan Base - Headquarters, was among the rescue workers, last seen searching for people trapped on the 50th floor in Tower 2. He was a Special Forces Veteran and a member of the U.S. Special Forces Association.

From Pastor Vernon Schultheis (Christ Evangelical, Woodside, NY) - FDNY Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca (son of one of his members) has been confirmed missing in the building collapse on September 11, 2001. Prayer is requested for his wife, Eve, two children, Jessica and Ronald Jr., his parents, Joe and Astrid, and his brother, Robert. His brother, Robert, is a police officer who was present at the Trade Center yesterday but he is safe and has been relieved of duty to be with his family.

He responded to the call of duty at the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001. Best friend and husband to Eve. Proud father of Jessica and Ronald. Beloved son of Astrid and Joseph. Devoted brother of Alfred and Robert. Ron was a 23 year veteran of FDNY and had served with Engine 95, Ladder 2, the Fitness Unit, Rescue 1, the FDNY Terrorist Task Force and was promoted to Fire Marshal in 1992. While a member of Rescue 1, in an attempt to rescue a brother firefighter, he fell five stories, severely injuring himself. Although many believed his career was over, he returned to full duty within a year. The men at Rescue 1 nicknamed him "The Flying Fireman." He had served in the military for 29 years and was recently promoted to Warrant Officer in the US Army Reserve. He spent two years active duty with the 101st Airborne Division. Most of his career was with the 11th Special Forces Group and the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Military Intelligence Analyst. He was a past President of Chapter 66 Special Forces Association and a member of the American Legion. He was a Licensed Practical Nurse and held an Associate Degree in OSHA and Fire Science from John Jay College and a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety from Mercy College. His hobbies

included archaeology, travel, history and physical fitness. He was a man of many accomplishments and interests. He was an avid historian and was assisting the Fire Museum in a Zoave exhibit. He had a lifelong interests in Boy Scouting and woodsmanship, but what he truly enjoyed was spending time with his family and friends. We will miss his insatiable curiosity, mischievous humor, adventurous spirit and commitment to doing the right thing. He touched many lives and hearts and led by example. When facing the ultimate challenge he stood fast and did his duty. He will be greatly missed and loved. The family will receive friends at WESTCHESTER FUNERAL HOME, INC., Eastchester,

Thursday and Friday 2-5 and 7-9pm. Service will be held, Saturday, November 10, 2001. at Concordia College Student Chapel at 11 A.M. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate Memorial Donations to The Fire Marshal Ron Bucca Memorial Fund, c/o The Law Office of Carro, Velez, Carro & Mitchell, LLP, 475 Park Ave. South, NY, NY 10016.

RONALD BUCCA

Rescuer and Counselor

New York Times – November 23, 2001

Ronald Bucca was nicknamed "the Flying Fireman" in 1986 after he fell spectacularly from a tenement fire escape, spun around a cable strung through the backyard and lived to tell the tale. And that was just one of his moments.

His specialty was rescuing mankind from smoke and flames, but he did not mind scorching certain people with his wit.

His colleagues collected "Ron-isms." An example: "This one is as sharp as a basketball."

He designed hats for other firemen with details that they found hilarious (but unfortunately, that were not printable).

A firefighter for 23 years, the last nine as a fire marshal, he was also a nurse and a reservist in the United States Army's Special Forces.

Mr. Bucca trained as an antiterrorist intelligence expert, and when the planes hit the towers on Sept. 11, he called his wife, Eve, and said he was heading to the scene.

"He knew it was a terrorist attack," Mrs. Bucca said. "He had been expecting something like that for a very long time."

Before that day, his final investigation had involved a young woman who set her former boyfriend's letters on fire and left them to burn in a toilet. He counseled her as a father might.

"No guy is worth getting this upset over; don't be too concerned about this guy," he told her, said Keith O'Mara, his partner. "There are a lot of fish in the sea. And if this should ever happen again, think about buying yourself a paper shredder.”

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