Firefighters, control officers and staff across the Brigade have marked 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. On this day 25 years ago, 2,977 people lost their lives in the attacks, following the hijacking and crashing of four commercial airliners. Amongst those that died in New York were 343 members of the New York City Fire Department.
In the City of London, a memorial service was organised by Lloyds of London, in partnership with the brokers Aon and Marsh at their offices on Lime Street. A delegation of London firefighters, led by Deputy Commissioner Mat Walker, attended to commemorate the service and sacrifice those firefighters made by responding to the attacks and honour all those who lost their lives.
As part of the service, commemorative items were laid down in an act of remembrance. Deputy Commissioner Walker joined Lisa Quest, UK CEO of Marsh, in laying down an American fire helmet, honouring the first responders in New York. . Later, Group Commander Patrick Moloney, the Brigade's Borough Commander for the City of London, read out the 'Firefighters Prayer'. This is a poem detailing the courage and sacrifice of firefighters when responding to emergencies, actions that were exemplified by crews on 9/11.
Across London, firefighters paraded on their station forecourts for a minute silence at 1346, (0846 in New York). This act of commemoration coincided with the time that the first aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Centre. They were joined in this act by firefighters across the United Kingdom.
Reflecting on the anniversary, London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “Today, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the thoughts of everyone across London Fire Brigade are with the family and friends of those who died in the attacks and all those who were affected by the tragedy.
“On 9/11, firefighters in New York responded to an unimaginable situation where 343 of them would lose their lives. The crews that attended, alongside all the emergency responders, demonstrated incredible bravery, courage and determination by putting themselves in danger to rescue others and save lives. Today we recognise their sacrifice in the line of duty."
Across London, firefighters paraded on their station forecourts for a minute silence at 1346, (0846 in New York). This act of commemoration coincided with the time that the first aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Centre. They were joined in this act by firefighters across the United Kingdom.
Reflecting on the anniversary, London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “Today, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the thoughts of everyone across London Fire Brigade are with the family and friends of those who died in the attacks and all those who were affected by the tragedy.
“On 9/11, firefighters in New York responded to an unimaginable situation where 343 of them would lose their lives. The crews that attended, alongside all the emergency responders, demonstrated incredible bravery, courage and determination by putting themselves in danger to rescue others and save lives. Today we recognise their sacrifice in the line of duty."