9/11 Remembrance

A lot of what we do in the fire service is to stand at the ready and be prepared to respond when the tones come in. Yet, no matter how hard we train and plan for every contingency, there are always going to be events that push us to our limits. These are also the events that affect us as individuals and change us as a community. By this measure, no one could disagree that September 11th, 2001 is surely one of the most profound days in the history of the emergency services.

One day we were secure in the belief that no one would have the audacity to launch a full scale attack on our soil. Twenty-four hours later we had to accept the harsh reality that the rules of conflict had changed.

While we could not stop the actions that began that terrible day, the ability to shape how it ended was fully in our hands. The dedication of the firefighters, law enforcement officers and medical professionals who responded to the call rose to a level never before seen in the emergency services. In the span of a few hours we saw what pure evil was capable of doing and, almost simultaneously, we saw pure human goodness rise up to beat it back.

It was a day that some hoped would strike fear in our hearts and be the first step towards our demise. Instead, the selfless actions of the first responders quieted our fears and became the first step towards the fanatics’ own demise.

Ordinary men and women left their homes that morning and became heroes because of the extraordinary things they did. Hundreds of New York City’s Bravest, many of whom were also part of the volunteer fire service family, ran into danger without hesitation. Then, in their hour of need, volunteers from around the state came to the aid of their fallen brothers and sisters.

September 11th, 2001 was a day that we thought could never happen and we are now reflecting on the decade that has passed. Some may choose to remember it as a day of infamy and despair. That is their choice. We choose to see it as the defining moment of the emergency services. That single day set a standard that we should all measure ourselves against when we respond to every call, no matter how big or small.

On this anniversary of 9/11, the hearts and prayers of the 45,000 members of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York go out to all of the families affected on that fateful day. More personally, as firefighters the number 343 will forever signify the courage and valor of our profession. Rest assured that we remember. Rest assured that we understand. And rest assured that we will never forget.