US tragedy

London Fire Commissioner Brian Robinson today paid tribute to the New York firefighters who lost their lives on September 11 last year.

Commissioner's tribute to New York firefighters - 11/9

He said: "Today the thoughts of all of us in London are with the New York Fire Department, which lost 343 colleagues that day. As well as those who died and their families - 2,801 people lost their lives at the World Trade Center - we remember, too, the firefighters who worked so hard to save lives and to help bring back order to the devastated city.

"Even before September 11th London Fire Brigade had forged close links with New York - those bonds are even stronger now.

"Many London firefighters have supported their New York colleagues, the survivors of the tragedy and the families of those who died. They have sent messages of support, raised funds and entertained visitors from the city. Some have visited New York to help in the aftermath and will attend the commemorations out there.

"Firefighters still feel the loss intensely. People I knew - people I counted as friends - were among those who died in the Twin Towers.

"Today's service at St Paul's is an opportunity to remember them, and the other September 11th victims in Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, with respect. Across the capital many fire stations will also mark the anniversary by observing a minute's silence"

London pays tribute

London's firefighters and LFB support staff will be observed a minute's silence at 1346 hrs on 11 September to commemorate the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US. At that time - exactly one year since the moment when the first plane struck the World Trade Center - many brigade staff lined up on station forecourts and offices around the capital.

Fire service staff around the country paid their respects and many UK firefighters gathered close to Ground Zero in New York on September 11 to form a visible UK presence. A national service of remembrance and commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, was attended by Tony Blair and other political leaders. More than 600 relatives and close friends of the 67 British victims were at the service.

A service of remembrance was held at St Giles’ Church in the Barbican by the Firefighters’ Memorial Charitable Trust on Sunday, 8 September, the day designated as International Firefighters’ Day of Remembrance. Many fire professionals, both serving and retired, together with families and friends of lost firefighters attended the service.

London's response to the threat of terrorism

Find out what we are doing to help London plan for emergencies.

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