Remembering 9/11: A Sad Day for Fire Fighters

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)by Edward C. Smith
September 11, 2001, will forever be remembered as the saddest day in the history of the American fire service. As fire fighters during the 9/11 attacks, we knew the loss of life to first responders and civilians would be staggering, but no one was prepared for the final count of 343 fire fighters and thousands of civilians. Some of our members were called over to the Pentagon site to aid the first responders there.  We also found our fire houses “guarded” by National Guardsmen after the attacks, as no one knew what might come next. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of September 11th, once again we are reminded that “All Gave Some - Some Gave All.” May our fallen members rest in peace.
- Smith is President of the District of Columbia Fire Fighters Association, Local 36 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-MWC. This is part of our series about the local impact of the 9/11 attacks on the metro DC labor community. We welcome your memories and comments at streetheat@dclaborarchives.org