9/11 Remembrance Tribute

On Friday 11 September, Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) will take part in a service wide act of remembrance to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks and honour the 343 firefighters who lost their lives while responding to the incidents at New York’s World Trade Center. 

At 1:46 pm, the exact UK time that the first aircraft struck the North Tower in 2001, firefighters and staff across the Service will observe a one-minute silence. 

As part of the tribute: 

• A one-minute silence will be held on station forecourts and other suitable operational locations. 

• Service flags will be lowered to half-mast during the silence. 

• Firefighters and operational personnel are encouraged to participate in operational PPE as a visible sign of respect and solidarity. 

The attacks of 11 September 2001 claimed thousands of lives and resulted in the deaths of 343 members of the Fire Department of New York, who were responding to rescue civilians trapped in the World Trade Center towers. Their sacrifice remains one of the most significant examples of courage and public service in the history of the fire and rescue profession.  

Chief Fire Officer Matt Cook said: “Today, on the 25^th anniversary, we stand alongside fire and rescue services around the UK in remembering the lives lost and the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001. We pay our deepest respects to the 343 firefighters who selflessly responded to help others and never returned home. Their courage, commitment and service continue to resonate throughout the global fire and rescue community, and we are proud to honour their memory.”