For most of Captain Al Fuentes’ life, he has participated in disaster relief efforts across the US and internationally. On September 11th, 2001, Captain Alfredo Fuentes, as acting battalion chief, led a contingent of fireboats on a mission to carry away survivors from the burning World Trade Center Towers. In the midst of coordinating rescuers and pulling wounded firefighters from the wreckage, Fuentes himself was caught in the collapsing rubble as he rushed to search for more survivors in the North Tower. He sustained crushing injuries to his skull, lungs, and ribs and lay pinned beneath a steel girder for over two hours. Capt. Fuentes persevered through prayer, finally managing to radio his comrades and lead them to his position and his eventual rescue. Due to the events of 9/11, being a survivor and suffering from PTSD, Captain Fuentes started the Patriot Group. After the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina, Captain Fuentes and other retired FDNY members and counselors traveled to New Orleans to counsel and assist first-responders and emergency personnel. It is his goal to assist and protect the citizens and first responders of our nation and those around the world.