The fire service lessons from 9/11 that continue to shape emergency response today

IAFC, FDNY and FDNYPro mark 9/11 anniversary in the United States

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fire Department of the City of New York and FDNYPro marked the 24th anniversary of 9/11 with reflections and remembrance events in the United States.

As reported by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), FDNY and FDNYPro, leaders shared operational lessons, personal accounts and details of ceremonies held to honour those who died and those affected since 2001.

The IAFC gathered commentary from current and former chiefs to record practical takeaways for emergency services.

FDNY held a day of remembrance on 11 September 2025.

FDNYPro noted in its podcast that the department’s Ceremonial Unit managed extensive memorial duties in the years after the attacks.

Chief Trisha Wolford on duty and sacrifice

IAFC President Chief Trisha Wolford said: “September 11th is etched into our national memory as a day of unimaginable loss and extraordinary sacrifice.

“It changed how we think, how we serve, and how we stand together as a people.

“For the fire service, it is a reminder of both our vulnerability and our strength.”

Wolford added: “When we serve in our communities, we do so with pride, knowing that every call we answer matters.

“Firefighters and paramedics will always step forward, never knowing if the call will take more than it gives, but always knowing we cannot stand idly by and watch.

“That is the essence of our duty and our promise.”

Wolford continued: “Today, we honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage of those who ran toward danger on that fateful day.

“And we reaffirm that, as long as there is a call to answer, the fire service will be there, ready, willing, and unshaken in our commitment to protect others.”

Chief John Buckman on IAFC operations during 9/11

Former IAFC President Chief John Buckman said: “On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was sitting at my desk at home, feet up, talking with Chief Richard Marinucci of Farmington Hills, MI.

“During our conversation, Chief Marinucci told me to turn on the television to see a large high-rise fire in New York City.

“My first thought was, ‘How could a fire get that big in an occupied high-rise?’

“Minutes later, I watched as the second plane struck the second World Trade Center tower.”

Buckman explained that IAFC headquarters stayed open around the clock in the immediate aftermath. He said leaders coordinated with FEMA and New York operations while advising firefighters not to self-dispatch.

He added that lessons learned included the importance of interagency communication, continuity of government planning, mutual aid, EMS resources, and mental health support.

Chief Joseph Pfeifer on ordinary heroes

Retired FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Pfeifer said: “On 9/11, we were forged by fire and dust as we saved 20,000 people.

“Each anniversary, we come together to reflect on the past and to envision the future with hope, so we can enhance the present by recognizing that the ordinary hero of 9/11 is in each of us.

“We can make a difference.”

Chief Jim Schwartz on regional cooperation

Retired Arlington County Fire Chief Jim Schwartz said: “The 9/11 attack on the Pentagon was obviously enormous.

“But we had great leadership in Arlington Fire Chief Ed Plaugher, who began focusing the department and the metropolitan region on preparing for terrorism in the early ’90s.

“Beyond accepting terrorism as a legitimate threat, the chief mobilized the region’s emergency services and political leadership to take it seriously which resulted in the development of what became the Metropolitan Medical Response System.

“Our work before 9/11 focused heavily on building relationships across boundaries, both professional and jurisdictional.

“The National Capital Region has long had a mutual aid agreement, and the fire departments of Northern Virginia began automatic aid in 1975.

“The key to our success at the Pentagon was the relationships and trust that had been developed among response agencies, regardless of their discipline.

“This included the Washington field office of the FBI, which began attending regional meetings and participating in local and regional exercises in 1998.

“The key takeaway is that in a crisis the size of 9/11, and many smaller but still complex events, no organization has all the capabilities, answers, or experience to bring the event to a successful conclusion.

“Building strong and enduring professional relationships across boundaries is essential to modern-day emergency services leadership.

“Leaders who not only practice this themselves but also institutionalize it in their organization stand a much better chance of success.”

Chief Mary Beth Michos on community response

Retired Prince William County Fire Chief Mary Beth Michos said: “It happened that on Sept. 11, 2001, I was at a meeting in Fairfax for the IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee.

“The members flew in from all parts of the country for a meeting about terrorism.

“We were meeting at a hotel close by the IAFC headquarters and initially couldn’t get a TV into our meeting room when we were informed about a plane hitting the first tower, so we went into the hotel lobby in time to see the second tower hit.

“As fire chief in Prince William County, I was also the Emergency Management director for the county.

“My first thoughts were to get back to the county and activate our EOC due to our proximity to the Capitol and other federal institutions.

“I couldn’t get through to the county on a land line and cell phone.

“Since there was news discussion regarding the threats to the Washington Metro area, I left the Committee and IAFC staff to return to Prince William.

“The major roads were at a standstill due to the heavy traffic of people leaving DC into the suburbs.

“Even with lights and siren I had to ride the shoulder of the interstates to get into the county.”

Michos added: “When I arrived back at the PW County offices, fire department staff had activated the EOC since the Pentagon had already been hit by that time.

“PWC is part of the Washington area mutual aid system so we knew we would be involved in responses out of the county.

“We mobilized additional fire and EMS staffing to ensure the county was covered as well as being able to send units wherever needed.”

Michos continued: “Since we are a bedroom community of the nation’s capital, everyday thousands of our residents travel up interstate 66 and 95 to work at the Pentagon and other federal and military facilities.

“Our concerns focused on how the disasters at the Pentagon and New York would immediately impact our community.

“One of the many concerns we had focused on children whose parents may not be able pick them up or come home.

“During Sept. 11 and for many days following we operated out of the EOC since our fire and Ems units moved up to cover Fairfax Co, Alexandria, and Arlington County since they were at the Pentagon.

“PWC units eventually were also dispatched to the Pentagon to relieve other jurisdictions.

“We provided personnel and units to the Pentagon for 11 days.”

Michos said: “Like everyone else in the country we monitored what was happening in New York and were devastated by what we observed and worried about all the victims of the collapses and all the emergency responders.

“We were all stricken with the gravity of the situations, concerns about being prepared for any additional acts of terrorism and the continued fallout from what had happened.

“We were busy and had very little time off for almost 2 weeks.”

Michos added: “Prince William County lost the most residents of any local jurisdiction, 23.

“A volunteer from Dumfries Rescue Squad, Jeff Simpson, was in New York City attending a business meeting at the Mariott World Trade Center.

“As he was being evacuated, he witnessed the towers collapse and he ran towards them to assist other first responders.

“He lost his life saving others.”

Commissioner Robert Tucker on FDNY memorial

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said: “It’s a beautiful day, so was September 11, 2001—take a look at the pictures of each and every one of these handsome, strong, brave individuals.

“Because while we talk about them as 343, they are sons and they are dads and they are whose shoulders I stand on every day.

“We are all standing on their shoulders as we go forward.”

FDNY ceremonial unit role

According to FDNYPro, the department’s Ceremonial Unit supported hundreds of funerals, memorials, and tributes in the aftermath of 9/11.

FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra and Lieutenant Joe LaPointe said in an interview that the unit attended as many as 25 funerals in a single day.

FDNYPro reported that the unit supported grieving families while helping the department rebuild.

The platform noted that the FDNY continues to honour its fallen through ongoing ceremonial practices.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The reflections from IAFC and FDNY illustrate lessons on mutual aid, interagency communication, and disaster planning.

These accounts show the importance of cross-agency relationships and coordination before, during, and after emergencies.

For professionals, the 9/11 anniversary reinforces operational, organisational, and human factors that must be sustained to strengthen future readiness.

Fire service leaders mark 24th anniversary of 9/11: Summary

The International Association of Fire Chiefs marked the 24th anniversary of 9/11.

The IAFC highlighted lessons learned including mutual aid and interagency coordination.

The Fire Department of New York held remembrance ceremonies on 11 September 2025.

FDNY reported that 343 members died on 9/11.

More than 400 FDNY members have since died from related illnesses.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker spoke at a wreath-laying ceremony.

The FDNY Ceremonial Unit managed funerals and memorials in the aftermath.

Former IAFC President John Buckman recalled operational responses.

Arlington and Prince William County leaders described regional actions.

Prince William County lost 23 residents in the attacks.

Volunteer Jeff Simpson died assisting others in New York.

Former FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Pfeifer reflected on the meaning of 9/11.

The IAFC said the reflections reinforce commitment to preparedness.

The lessons continue to inform fire and safety practices.