9/11, 25 Years Later: Fire Service Lessons, Sacrifice & Shared Memory

Dr. Lynn White, President

While it’s been 25 years since we experienced the first attack on our nation on September 9, 2011, I remember when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center; we thought it was an accident with great potential loss.  Then the second tower was struck by another plane, and we knew it was not an accident.  Our nation was thrust into a series of incidents that reshaped our national security and emergency response.  It also had a disastrous impact on many families.

The first words David White spoke after hearing the news were, “Over 300 emergency responders will die today.”  I asked what he based that number on, and he said that is how many emergency responders would be sent to rescue and, if possible, extinguish fires.  He knew many of the emergency responders because he had spent a lot of “ride out” time with them each September.  

Before attending the 2024 NFHC Board Meeting in Cumberland, I visited the bell tower built to honor those who gave their lives to crash the fourth plane in Pennsylvania before it could be flown to its target.  A bell sounds for each voice, reminding us that there are times when we must step up to save others, even if it costs us our lives.

While the memories of 9/11 are 25 years old, they keep playing in our minds, keeping us alert to dangers and ready to respond when necessary.  I’m also reminded that preserving the history of America’s fire services and disciplines requires an individual commitment to recalling and sharing lessons learned from past emergency responses.  As individuals or team members, we are all part of a greater team: America’s fire services and disciplines, and the communities where we live and work. Share with others reading this blog how the 9/11 events have impacted your vision of how this event from the past is impacting your life now and its impact on our future.

Author: NFHC

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