When construction abruptly stopped at the former Pfizer headquarters redevelopment in Midtown Manhattan after workers discovered buckled steel columns and floor sagging, public attention quickly turned to one question: What happened? But before investigators can determine why a structural failure occurred, engineers must answer a different question: How do they stabilize a damaged building and safely determine what went wrong? In this special edition of the ENR Critical Path Podcast, host Bryan Gottlieb speaks with Christopher Raebel, vice president of engineering and research at the American Institute of Steel Construction, about the engineering response to structural emergencies. Rather than speculate about the ongoing investigation, Raebel explains how engineers assess structural damage, stabilize compromised buildings, investigate potential causes and determine whether damaged structures can be repaired. Whether you're an engineer, contractor or simply curious about how complex structural emergencies are managed, this conversation offers an inside look at the process that begins long before investigators reach their conclusions.