Sacrifice and service are part of the DNA of the Esposito family. 

Firefighter Joe Esposito, known around his firehouse as Jo Jo, is going on his 38th year with the department. 

Twenty-three of those years were spent at Rescue 5 on Staten Island.

On Sept. 11, Rescue 5 lost 11 members. For Esposito, it felt like losing 11 brothers. 

He also lost his actual older brother, FDNY Lieutenant Michael Esposito of Squad Company 1, died when the North Tower collapsed.   

“My brother was quite an amazing guy,” he said. “And I didn’t think the towers were able to take him out.” 

His cousin, Firefighter Frank Esposito, died that day ass well. 

While Esposito grieved his older brother, cousin and fellow firefighters, he found comfort in being there for their families. 

He stepped up as a fatherly figure for not only his two nephews, but the children of the 11 fallen members of Rescue 5.  

“When I was comforting all the wives here, they didn’t realize at first that I lost my brother,” Esposito recalled. “We’re a family. We’ve been a family for a long time now and just 22 years now watching their kids grow up and go to college, go to school, you know, get married, have kids, are all now it’s, it’s truly amazing.” 

When Esposito was not with the families of those who died, he was down at the World Trade Center site working on the recovery efforts. 

His brother, Sal Esposito, a union machine engineer, also spent weeks after the attacks searching for remains. 

After a lengthy battle with kidney problems, believed to be a 9/11-related illness, Sal died in 2021.

Another brother of Esposito was taken by the events of that day.  

“It doesn’t end. I mean, you know, 22 years to some people is just a number,” he explained. “It’s 22 years of missing anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, you know, special moments, you know, to get married, getting their license, keys. All the things that are missed. This is when it hurts the most.” 

Over these past 22 years, Esposito has continued his service to the fire department and the families of those who perished. 

And some of the next generation of Esposito have answered the call to serve as well. 

Both of his nephews have joined the department to follow in their father’s footsteps.

At the end of August, Esposito watched his own son graduate from the Fire Cadet Academy. This year marks his son’s first 9/11 anniversary wearing the FDNY uniform.

Esposito says they will carry on the tradition of their family’s service and the vow to never forget.