Amid continuing the rescue effort, grieving for many lost friends and trying to work their regular shifts, New York City firefighters appreciate any inspiration. So members of Engine Company 37 and Ladder Company 40 in Harlem were more than grateful Saturday afternoon when the Knicks' Allan Houston, Charlie Ward and Mark Jackson and general manager Scott Layden showed up at their door to say hello.

"Everybody is under tremendous stress here, and everybody handles it in their own way, to a different degree," said Lt. Tom Roberts of Ladder Company 40.

The announcement from an attendant that the Knicks' contingent had arrived (as part of a tour of firehouses) was a real stress-breaker.

"It lifted everybody's spirits," Roberts said. "It was really touching." -