I have heard numerous accounts be people all saying the same thing: "I can't believe they were going up and in when we were all going down and out!" No, they weren't stupid. They were and are brave beyond anything you could comprehend. As for the collapse, I don't buy into them not knowing it was going to happen. They knew it would at some point (they were in contact with building engineers/original archeitects within a half hour of the fires). They didn't think it would be that soon, but they knew they would. The engineers also said that they never thought there could be a fire that hot. There were steel upgrades they could have gone with in the original construction but didn't think it necessary because regular building fires don't get as hot as what happened. Finally, if you really believe that people didn't get out because the FD was blocking the staircases, you are a complete mess and probably are operating on an IQ below the certifiable moron level!