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IAFC 9/11 Protocol
IAFC MEMBER NEWS ALERT
For Immediate Release
Contact: IAFC - 703/273-0911
IAFC Issues Suggestions for
September 11 Remembrance
Washington, D.C., Friday, August 15, 2003......The International
Association of Fire Chiefs has developed a possible recommended protocol
for U.S. fire departments who wish to mark the annual commemoration of
the losses suffered by the nation on September 11, 2001.
The suggested protocol is in response to a significant number of
requests of the IAFC from member departments who wish to mark the
anniversary in some way.
In making the recommendation, the IAFC states that the ceremony is a
proposed format only-and 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
as well.
For those departments wishing to mark the 9-11 anniversary, the
following ceremony is proposed:
MOMENT OF SILENCE WITH BELLS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2003
9:58 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
* All available fire department personnel assemble at attention
in front of individual station flag pole (or central location in front
of building)
o No recommended uniform of the day-up to department discretion
o Company officer or Chaplain, if present, may choose to make
brief remarks
o No badge shrouds or lowered flag
o Community involvement is optional
* When assembled, maintain silence
9:59 a.m. EDT- Time of 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
--Sound sirens for 1 minute (check with neighbors for
approval)
10:00 a.m. EDT - 1 Minute of Complete Silence
Additional actions may include, if desired:
** Read the names of each of the 343 fire fighters from FDNY (approx 10
min.)
** The chief fire officer, city or county officials, local minister or
other designated person might speak
** Local minister or FD Chaplain recites Invocation or Firefighter's
Prayer (see IAFC Web site)
** 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
Considerations:
* If a commemorative event is performed, it is recommended that it
not be limited to the fire service. Rather, the remembrance of the day
should include all the victims of the tragedy on 9 -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 including
Arlington, Va. (The Pentagon) and Shanksville, Pa.
Background Materials
The IAFC has made electronic copies of the "Firefighter's Prayer"
available online at the IAFC Web site at:
The roll call list of the 343 FDNY fire fighters for those who wish to
read the names is available at:
Please go to www.iafc.org <http://www.iafc.org/> for more information.
For Immediate Release
Contact: IAFC - 703/273-0911
IAFC Issues Suggestions for
September 11 Remembrance
Washington, D.C., Friday, August 15, 2003......The International
Association of Fire Chiefs has developed a possible recommended protocol
for U.S. fire departments who wish to mark the annual commemoration of
the losses suffered by the nation on September 11, 2001.
The suggested protocol is in response to a significant number of
requests of the IAFC from member departments who wish to mark the
anniversary in some way.
In making the recommendation, the IAFC states that the ceremony is a
proposed format only-and 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
as well.
For those departments wishing to mark the 9-11 anniversary, the
following ceremony is proposed:
MOMENT OF SILENCE WITH BELLS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2003
9:58 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
* All available fire department personnel assemble at attention
in front of individual station flag pole (or central location in front
of building)
o No recommended uniform of the day-up to department discretion
o Company officer or Chaplain, if present, may choose to make
brief remarks
o No badge shrouds or lowered flag
o Community involvement is optional
* When assembled, maintain silence
9:59 a.m. EDT- Time of 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
--Sound sirens for 1 minute (check with neighbors for
approval)
10:00 a.m. EDT - 1 Minute of Complete Silence
Additional actions may include, if desired:
** Read the names of each of the 343 fire fighters from FDNY (approx 10
min.)
** The chief fire officer, city or county officials, local minister or
other designated person might speak
** Local minister or FD Chaplain recites Invocation or Firefighter's
Prayer (see IAFC Web site)
** 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
Considerations:
* If a commemorative event is performed, it is recommended that it
not be limited to the fire service. Rather, the remembrance of the day
should include all the victims of the tragedy on 9 -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 including
Arlington, Va. (The Pentagon) and Shanksville, Pa.
Background Materials
The IAFC has made electronic copies of the "Firefighter's Prayer"
available online at the IAFC Web site at:
The roll call list of the 343 FDNY fire fighters for those who wish to
read the names is available at:
Please go to www.iafc.org <http://www.iafc.org/> for more information.