Patriot Day: Monroe County Fire Rescue Remembers Those Who Lost Their Lives On 9/11; Public Invited

Sept. 11 marks the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000 others at the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 11, 2001, in addition to law enforcement officers, medical service providers, and other public servants, 343 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

"Many of us think about the tragedy and where we were when the planes hit the World Trade Center. I think about the event year-long," said Monroe County Fire Chief Jim Callahan. "Please let us never forget."

Monroe County Fire Rescue invites the public to any of the Monroe County Fire Rescue stations on Sept. 11 to reflect on the lives lost.

• 9:50 a.m. - Primary apparatus brought out of the station bay.
• 9:59 - (Time of the South Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
• 10:00 to 10:28 - Time for personal remembrance and reflection.
• 10:28 - (Time of the North Tower WTC collapse), sound apparatus air horn in three sets of five blasts followed by one minute of silence.
• 10:29 - Flag raised and then returned to half-mast.
• 10:30 - Return apparatus to station and resume normal duties.

During the remembrance, normal emergency response actions will be observed if needed.

Stations are located at:

• Station 8 - Stock Island, 5655 MacDonald Avenue, MM 5
• Station 9 - Big Coppitt, 28 Emerald Drive, MM 10
• Station 10 - Sugarloaf, 17175 Overseas Highway, MM 17
• Station 11 - Cudjoe, 22352 Overseas Highway, MM 20
• Station 13 - Big Pine Key, 390 Key Deer Boulevard, MM 30.5
• Station 17 - Conch Key, 10 S Conch Avenue, MM 63
• Station 18 - Layton, 68260 Overseas Highway, MM 68.5
• Station 22 - Tavernier, 151 Marine Avenue, MM 92