Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Travel |

These 15 Riveting Photos of Firefighters in Action Showcase the Strength and Courage They Need to Risk Their Lives to Save Others

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, take in this collection of images pulled from the archives of the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

OPENER - In the bitter chill of a six-degrees Fahrenheit morning in Olathe, Kansas, firefighters respond to a duplex fire. Working quickly despite the cold, they stopped the fire’s advance and saved the adjoining unit from damage.
OPENER - In the bitter chill of a six-degrees Fahrenheit morning in Olathe, Kansas, firefighters respond to a duplex fire. Working quickly despite the cold, they stopped the fire’s advance and saved the adjoining unit from damage.
In the bitter chill of a six-degrees Fahrenheit morning in Olathe, Kansas, firefighters respond to a duplex fire. Working quickly despite the cold, they stopped the fire’s advance and saved the adjoining unit from damage. Mike Hall, Olathe, Kansas, 2025

These 15 Riveting Photos of Firefighters in Action Showcase the Strength and Courage They Need to Risk Their Lives to Save Others

On the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, take in this collection of images pulled from the archives of the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Photographs selected by Jeff Campagna

OPENER - In the bitter chill of a six-degrees Fahrenheit morning in Olathe, Kansas, firefighters respond to a duplex fire. Working quickly despite the cold, they stopped the fire’s advance and saved the adjoining unit from damage.
In the bitter chill of a six-degrees Fahrenheit morning in Olathe, Kansas, firefighters respond to a duplex fire. Working quickly despite the cold, they stopped the fire’s advance and saved the adjoining unit from damage. Mike Hall, Olathe, Kansas, 2025

On September 11, 2001, firefighters were at the forefront of the devastation at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside of Washington, working tirelessly to save as many people as possible. For this collection of photographs, we are highlighting heroic firefighters around the world who courageously save lives every day.

For centuries, people have relied on volunteers to put out fires. In America, volunteer fire departments date back to colonial times. The first volunteer fire department was established in Philadelphia in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin. During the 9/11 attacks in New York, more than 1,400 firefighters and rescue workers were on the scene, and 343 FDNY firefighters died. Today, wildfires are some of the biggest threats to the environment and they have been getting significantly worse since the 2000s. On this somber anniversary, we acknowledge the sacrifice made by our firefighting first responders.

2 - A fireman warily observes an advancing fire in the Courel Mountains of Spain.
A fireman warily observes an advancing fire in the Courel Mountains of Spain. Adra Pallón, Lugo, Spain, 2022
3 - An instructor from the Mississippi State Fire Academy signals for the ignition of a propane fire training prop as firefighters practice advancing hose lines. The objective is to produce an interlocking fog of protective, cooling water that will allow
An instructor from the Mississippi State Fire Academy signals for the ignition of a propane fire training prop as firefighters practice advancing hose lines. The objective is to produce an interlocking fog of protective, cooling water that will allow the firefighter in the center to cut off the fire’s fuel. Talbot Brooks, Cleveland, Mississippi, 2021
7 - At the Cincinnati Fire Department training center, firefighter recruits climb a 75-foot ladder, secure themselves to a rung and let go.
At the Cincinnati Fire Department training center, firefighter recruits climb a 75-foot ladder, secure themselves to a rung and let go. Adam Schierberg, Cincinnati, 2014
6 - A firefighter poses for a portrait in front of a fire engine.
A firefighter poses for a portrait in front of a fire engine. Erik Espinosa, Windsor Heights, West Virginia, 2013
5 - In downtown Leominster, the burning Columbia Hotel collapses onto the fire truck’s ladder as firefighters help a crewmember down. The hotel, originally built in 1892, was razed.
In downtown Leominster, the burning Columbia Hotel collapses onto the fire truck’s ladder as firefighters help a crewmember down. The hotel, originally built in 1892, was razed. Joshua Sweeney, Leominster, Massachusetts, 2012
8 - Firefighters take a moment to recover as temperatures near 90 degrees and winds approach 45 miles per hour while they fight a large house fire. The firefighter on the right takes a break to rehydrate and exchange oxygen tanks.
Firefighters take a moment to recover as temperatures near 90 degrees and winds approach 45 miles per hour while they fight a large house fire. The firefighter on the right takes a break to rehydrate and exchange oxygen tanks. James Yule, Worland, Wyoming, 2018
9 - Firefighters take a break after fighting a stubborn brush fire on a windy day.
Firefighters take a break after fighting a stubborn brush fire on a windy day. Katherine Dugger, Martin, Tennessee, 2021
10 - Two wildland firefighters gaze up at an active section of the Park Fire in Mill Creek, California. The fire was the largest wildfire in California’s 2024 wildfire season.
Two wildland firefighters gaze up at an active section of the Park Fire in Mill Creek, California. The fire was the largest wildfire in California’s 2024 wildfire season. Daniel Brown, Mill Creek, California, 2024
11 - During a memorial stair climb, a firefighter carries a hose bundle marked with the name of one of the firefighters who died on 9/11. Memorial stair climbs are a way firefighters pay tribute to those lost that day by climbing the equivalent of 110 sto
During a memorial stair climb, a firefighter carries a hose bundle marked with the name of one of the firefighters who died on 9/11. Memorial stair climbs are a way firefighters pay tribute to those lost that day by climbing the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center towers. Hillary Lee, Austin, Texas, 2018
12 - Firefighters’ work gear hangs at the ready at the FDNY 281 Engine Company.
Firefighters’ work gear hangs at the ready at the FDNY 281 Engine Company. Patrick Cashin, Brooklyn, New York, 2023
13 - Wildland firefighters pull back from a section of the Dixie Fire near Janesville, California. The fire covered over 963,000 acres of land.
Wildland firefighters pull back from a section of the Dixie Fire near Janesville, California. The fire covered over 963,000 acres of land.  Daniel Brown, Janesville, California, 2021
14 - A warm light glows on the face of a firefighter.
A warm light glows on the face of a firefighter. Erik Espinosa, Windsor Heights, West Virginia, 2013
ALT1 - In Lake County, California, a pair of firefighters stand atop a hill that has been burned in a prescribed fire set to eliminate invasive species and prepare the area for restoration work.
In Lake County, California, a pair of firefighters stand atop a hill that has been burned in a prescribed fire set to eliminate invasive species and prepare the area for restoration work. David Elkins, California, 2022
15 - Dust flies around a trail of wildland firefighters fighting the Park Fire and building firelines, which are breaks in flammable ground fuel made by cutting, scraping or digging.
Dust flies around a trail of wildland firefighters fighting the Park Fire and building firelines, which are breaks in flammable ground fuel made by cutting, scraping or digging. Ty O’Neil, California, 2024
Jeff Campagna

Jeff Campagna is a photo editor at Smithsonian magazine. You can follow him on Instagram at @jeffcampagna.

Jess Daninhirsch

Planning Your Next Trip?

Explore great travel deals

A Note to our Readers Smithsonian magazine participates in affiliate link advertising programs. If you purchase an item through these links, we receive a commission.