Several Rombout members attend Memorial
Plaque Dedication for FDNY Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier, who lost his life in the
Line of Duty on September 11, 2001
Members of the Rombout Fire Co traveled to FDNY Engine 4 /
Ladder 46 in the
Bronx on Saturday September 13, 2003 to attend the dedication of a Memorial
Plaque for Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier. Paul was a good friend to many of the
members of Rombout.

Pictured, left to right: Firefighter Paul
Tompkins, Firefighter Brian Allison, Firefighter Mike Howard, Chief Jeff Marino,
2nd Assistant Chief John Cerrato, all standing in front of FDNY Ladder 46.
Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier
Engine 4

A Dream Realized
After watching his number creep up
the list of new hires for 20 years, Paul Tegtmeier finally got the call 18
months before that tragic day in September to become a New York City
firefighter, at the age of 40. He quit his job as a field technician at Verizon
and picked up his crisp uniform. "He met the age cutoff, from the time that he
applied," said his wife, Catherine. , "His was the last class taken off that
list. Firefighting was something he wanted to do since he was a toddler and he
only wanted to do it in New York City." Mr. Tegtmeier, 41, a father of two, was
on his way to Ladder Company 46 in the Bronx when the first plane struck 1 World
Trade Center. Fire officials say that he likely reached the firehouse in time to
join his colleagues as they rushed toward the twin towers, Mrs. Tegtmeier said.
He loved firefighting, and was volunteer for more than 20 years at the
Roosevelt, N.Y., Fire Department, where he met his wife, also a volunteer
firefighter. His 6-year-old son, Aric, lives very much in his parents' image. A
couple of days after the collapse, Aric pulled on his firefighting helmet, coat
and boots and fought invisible fires on the front lawn with firefighters who
came to mourn the loss of his dad