The International Association of Fire Chiefs has issued a suggested protocol for U.S. fire departments that wish to mark the annual commemoration of the losses suffered by the nation on Sept. 11, 2001. The suggested protocol is in response to the significant number of requests the IAFC receives annually from member departments that wish to mark the anniversary in some way.

In making the recommendation, the IAFC states that the ceremony is a proposed format only — it 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.

For those departments wishing to mark the 9/11 anniversary, the following ceremony is proposed:

Moment of Silence with Bells
Monday, Sept. 11, 2006
9:58 a.m. EDT

• All available fire department personnel assemble at attention in front of the station flag pole (or a central location in front of the building).
• No recommended uniform of the day, up to department discretion.
• Company officer or chaplain, if present, may choose to make brief remarks.
• No badge shrouds or lowered flag.
• Community involvement is optional.
• When assembled, maintain silence.

9:59 a.m. EDT – Time of the 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 or sirens sounded for one minute. (Check with neighbors for approval.)

10 a.m. EDT – One minute of complete silence

Additional actions may include, if desired:

• Read the names of each of the 343 FDNY firefighters. (The roll call takes approximately 10 minutes and is available in PDF format from here.
• The chief fire officer, city or county officials, local minister or other designated person might speak.
• Local minister or fire department chaplain recites invocation or Firefighter’s Prayer.
• Invite attendees to reflect on all the lives lost on Sept. 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 or station traditions for services.

Additional considerations:

• If a commemorative event is performed, IAFC recommends 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: the World Trade Center in New York City; the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.; and the crash site in Shanksville, Pa.