North Carolina First Responder Day
September 11
Raleigh— In 2017 the NC General Assembly designated September 11thof each year as First Responder Day, making it an official State holiday. The date of September 11thwas chosen in recognition of the monumental sacrifices made by first responders at the World Trade Center attack in New York. According to Tim Bradley, Executive Director of the NC State Firefighters’ Association (NCSFA), there are over 50,000 firefighters, both career and volunteer, in North Carolina serving 1,318 fire departments. “After the attacks on 9/11/01 we vowed to never forget the sacrifices made that day by each and every first responders, 343 of whom were firefighters. Marking this day as a State holiday will keep the memory of those sacrifices with us, and continue to honor those who serve their community every day.”
According to Quentin Cash of Shelby and Cherryville Fire Departments, who serves this year as President of NCSFA, “20 years after the attack on the twin towers we now have a new generation entering the fire service who may not have been alive during the devastation we all remember from that day. It is our responsibility to educate and mentor these new and future generations so they too will never forget the sacrifices made that day and take pride in the jobs they do for the members of each of their communities.“
Fire departments across the State usually hold various services in honor and remembrance on First Responder Day, but due to the Covid Pandemic they may be altered in some way this year. For information about events that may be occurring locally for First Responder Day, contact your local fire department or police department.
For more information, press only:
Tim Bradley, Executive Director, NCSFA
919.821.2132
Leave a Reply