This is an I-Heart podcast.

And we return to our 9-11 special here on our American stories.

And now we bring you the story of an unlikely relationship between two of New York City's finest,

a firefighter named Nils Jorgensen and the late billionaire David Koch.

Nils was off duty on 9-11, but when the first plane struck the World Trade Center,

he complied with a total recall order for all firemen to report to their firehouses.

Here's Nils to tell the rest of the story.

I started driving to my firehouse, and then all of a sudden on the radio I hear,

Second plane is struck.

I could somewhat see on my drive, the smoke and whatnot, and I'm flying over the

Verrazano Bridge, and my wife calls me frantically, where are you? Where are you?

And I said, I'm on the bridge. I'm going in. And she says, no, you're not. Listen to what

your dad, my dad would always tell me, if there's ever a recall, you follow it, or

you could end up dead, and no one is looking for you and for

some unknown reason there was no traffic it was eerie and i'm flying and i'm going but wait a minute

i don't have my fire gear what the hell am i going to do she hung up the phone screaming at me and my

wife doesn't curse.

She said, those effing buildings are going to go down and you'll eff and die.

Go to your command where you're supposed to.

And I heard my father in my ear and he's just, my father doesn't say a lot.

But when he says something, it's profound.

And I remember him always saying, kid, never be a freelancer. You follow

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