Why didn't the rescuers go to the roof tops?

Question

During the attack on the towers by terrorists on September 11, why is it rescue helicopters did not go to the roof tops of the 2 towers to pick up the people trapped in the buildings? If they had done that, people above the fire could have been rescued.

Answer 1

I know this sounds like an easy answer, but it is not.
First rule of fire and rescue....do nothing to put yourself in need of being rescued as well, you are no help to anyone if you too are injured or dead.
Secondly, the roofs were unstable due to the crash on the planes into the towers, Asking people to come to the roof and trying to set down rescue helicopters would mean certain death to those on the roof, in the helicopters, and to those below when the helicopter crashed to the ground.
9/11 was a sad and horrifying time. If you feel the need to place blame, place it with all terrorist, not with those men and woman who risk and many who lost their lives trying to save others.

Answer 2

Both buildings also had communications towers that would have made helicopter rescue impossible. One building had a massive, huge tower, the other had a series of smaller ones.

You also have to recognise that NO ONE expected the towers to collapse. At least, not until the first one went down. The second follwed soon after.

Answer 3

I suppose the smoke coming out of the buliding would have blocked the pilot's view, and they probaby knew the bulidings could collapse at any moment. It would have led to more casuaties.

Answer 4

the fear was taht helicopter downdraft would have caused more damage than help.