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FDNY was not invited to sit at the table.  It was a unique project.  The deconstruction - decontamination of the Deutsche Bank Building contaminated by deadly 9/11 poisons had no parallel.  Nine  governmental agencies were invited to sit at the table as "REGULATORS" of the project.  Two federal (2), three (3) state and four (4) City agencies.  FDNY was not one of the nine.  FDNY was not a "REGULATOR".  The deconstruction - decontamination of the TOXIC Deutsche Bank Building was designed to take place under the watchful eyes of nine (9) "REGULATORS".  Those who decided what governmental agencies to invite as 'REGULATORS" of the project excluded FDNY.  Others had responsibility as "REGULATORS" of this project; FDNY had none.  FDNY's "two cents" was not wanted.  This was by design. This was how the project was initiated and set up. 

Here is what is so contemptible.  When the maelstrom of criticism arose against the three FDNY fire officers, instead of throwing them to the wolves, why wasn't the leadership of FDNY saying,

"Wait a minute.  FDNY was not a "REGULATOR" of this project. FDNY wasn't invited to the table.  This project was being done under the watchful eye of not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, not eight but nine officially designated regulatory agencies. This doesn't even include the numerous officially designated private site safety officers of the various contractors.  How can you blame FDNY when FDNY wasn't even invited to be a REGULATOR of this project.  What are you out of your minds? Its ludicrous to blame FDNY when FDNY was, by design, kept out of the picture.  If nine officially designated regulatory agencies together with the numerous officially designated site safety officers could not prevent this tragedy from happening, don't look to blame FDNY. If FDNY was invited and then failed to do its job, then you could have blamed us.  You didn't invite us so how dare you try to blame us."

When will the leadership of FDNY start to speak up in defense of itself?

A story has circulated that when Chief Cassano met with the Beddia and Graffagnino families, he was asked why the three fire officers were sidelined? Chief Cassano's answer was "To protect them".  It is time FDNY spoke up in their behalf.  Silence does not protect the three sidelined fire officers. Leaders, worthy of the name leader, speak out on behalf of their troops.  They don't throw their troops to the wolves. They don't stand by when others try to scapegoat their men. Cowards keep their mouths shut; brave men speak up.

(Our thanks once again to Deep Throat for the foregoing story about the meeting between Cassano and the families)