Beyond the Rubble

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) played a critical – though often unknown – role in the recovery efforts following September 11, 2001. Using extensive, on-the-ground archival footage and first-hand interviews, this short documentary reveals how DSNY adapted its daily operations to support the recovery work at Ground Zero, host the forensics operations at Fresh Kills Landfill, and clean lower Manhattan.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Robin Nagle, that will explore stand-out moments, sensory details, and what DSNY would most like the public to understand about their essential work.

Registration on EventBrite is required. However, an EventBrite ticket does not guarantee entry as this is a first-come-first-served free event.

Moderator:

Dr. Robin Nagle is a clinical professor of anthropology and environmental studies in New York University’s School of Liberal Studies. Her research considers the category of material culture known generically as waste, with a specific emphasis on the infrastructures and organizational demands that municipal garbage imposes on urban areas. She is also the anthropologist-in-residence at DSNY and the author of Picking Up: On the Streets and Behind the Trucks with the Sanitation Workers of New York City.

Panelists:

Martin (Marty) Bellew was the four-star director of the Bureau of Waste Disposal at DSNY during 9/11. He was responsible for overseeing the setup of transport operations, permitting of temporary marine transfer sites, and the processing operations at the Fresh Kills Landfill for 9/11 debris. In addition to managing all waste exports from New York City, Bellew was responsible for the Bureau of Recycling and the Bureau of Waste Disposal Engineering. After DSNY, he has served as a Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Conservation for the City of Yonkers and, later, as the Commissioner of Environmental Control for the town Islip and the President of the Islip Resource Recovery Agency. Bellew holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. For over thirty years, he has served on the Board of Directors for the New York Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), administering their scholarship program.

Bernard (Buddy) Sullivan was the three-star chief of the Bureau of Operations during 9/11, overseeing city-wide equipment, facilities, fuel, and telecommunications for DSNY. In the aftermath of 9/11, he also managed all fuel deliveries to Ground Zero and 22% of the debris removal operations. Over the following thirteen years, Commissioner Sullivan served as three-star chief of Citywide Cleaning Operations, the four-star director of the Bureau of Cleaning and Collection, and finally First Deputy Commissioner. He retired in 2014 after 33 years of service.

Anthony Palmieri was a Sanitation Worker during 9/11 who volunteered for the recovery effort, working on-site at Ground Zero for nine months. He had the honor of standing on the ramp during the official closing ceremony as the Last Column was removed. He has since shared his story as a docent for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and has also served as a volunteer firefighter for Fire Company Engine 612 in Lodi, N.J.