Fairfax, Va. — "Seven years after September 11, 2001, we continue to honor the sacrifice made by our brothers and sisters in the fire service and other emergency services; we remember the personal and national losses on that tragic day," said IAFC President Chief Larry Grorud.
For those fire departments wishing to commemorate September 11, 2001, the IAFC provides the following recommended protocol.
In making the recommendation, the IAFC states that the ceremony is a proposed format only — it does not constitute a national day of recognition. Further, the IAFC stresses that such participation is entirely voluntary and should be considered on a community-by-community basis with the input of local law enforcement and municipal leadership.
For those departments wishing to mark the September 11 anniversary, the following ceremony is proposed.
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MOMENT OF SILENCE WITH BELLS
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9:58 am EDT
All available fire department personnel assemble at attention in front of the station flag pole (or a central location in front of the building).
No recommended uniform of the day — up to department discretion.
Company officer or chaplain, if present, may choose to make brief remarks.
No badge shrouds or lowered flag.
Community involvement is optional.
When assembled, maintain silence.
9:59 am EDT – Time of the South Tower Collapse
Station bell rings 5-5-5 (three sets of five chimes each) or 5-5-5-5 (four sets of five chimes each — both are common and acceptable).
Note: Some stations may not have bells and may opt for local church bells or sirens sounded for 1 minute (check with neighbors for approval).
10 am EDT – One Minute of Complete Silence
Additional actions may include, if desired:
Read the names of each of the 343 firefighters from FDNY (approximately 10 minutes, see Background Materials below).
The chief fire officer, city or county officials, local minister or other designated person might speak.
Local minister or fire department chaplain recites Invocation or Firefighter’s Prayer (see Background Materials below).
Invite attendees to reflect on all the lives lost on September 11 — law enforcement and civilian, as well as fire service.
Recognize any line of duty deaths the department itself has suffered in the past year.
Perform any specific regional/department/station traditions for services.
Dismissal
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Considerations
If a commemorative event is performed, IAFC recommends that it not be limited to the fire service. Rather, the remembrance of the day should include all the victims of the tragedy on September 11: fire service, law enforcement and civilians alike, including the families of those who were lost.
The event should not focus solely on the World Trade Center, but should include a remembrance of all three attack sites: the World Trade Center in New York City; the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.; and the crash-site in Shanksville, Pa.
Background Materials
A number of related resources, including the Firefighter's Prayer, an explanation of the significance of the 5-5-5 bell tolling and the roll-call list of FDNY members lost on September 11 are available on IAFC's web site.
