A New York Fire Department Division commander who directed rescue and recovery operations after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will visit Marco on Sept. 10 this year as a guest of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation.

This was revealed by Foundation Chairman Jim Curran at a function held recently at Marco Community Bank to honor foundation members.

Chief Peter Hayden, now retired, will speak at a luncheon Sept. 10 at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Curran said.

As the incident commander, Hayden led the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero; formulating strategy and daily operational plans, while supervising and directing about 1,500 firefighters and emergency service personnel.

After that appointed Assistant Chief of Operations for the FDNY in November, 2001, Hayden served as the department’s project manager for The McKinsey Report Recommendations.

The Report contains recommendations to increase department preparedness for future terrorist incidents and complex, large-scale incidents.

Curran said the one-year-old Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation has flourished since its creation, raising $30,000 and already providing relief to two local firefighters faced with unplanned financial needs.

The foundation has about 80 members, Curran said, and is looking for more.

Family memberships are $50 a year, he said, and corporate sponsorships $100.

The foundation was initially funded by Marco Community Bank

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