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Capital Remembrance of September 11 Features “Into the Fire”
This month saw the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks in which 2,974 people were killed by terrorists who hijacked four commercial jetliners. Fire service personnel represented 343 of those deaths. To mark the anniversary, Fireman's Fund and our agent U.S. Risk/Lighthouse Underwriters, participated in a high-profile remembrance of the victims of and first responders in our nation's capital.
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Honoring the heroes of
September 11.
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The memorial was the brainchild of Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin, whose department also received a $25,000 Fireman's Fund Heritage grant for a smoke detector program at the event.
Approached by Fireman's Fund and Lighthouse this summer about a grant and screening of “Into the Fire,” Chief Rubin decided the occasion was a great opportunity to honor the heroes of 9/11 as well as educate the public about the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department's response on that day—not to mention the importance of first responders in the nation's security generally. Chief Rubin helped secure the participation of scores of local dignitaries and honored guests, including Secretary Michael Chertoff of the Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Washington, D.C. City Council members, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Hal Bruno, Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
In all, more than 300 people attended the memorial, held at the prestigious Kennedy Center. Other honored guests included, of course, first responders on the day of the attacks. (The Arlington County Fire Department, which serves the area where the Pentagon is located, asked the Washington D.C. department for mutual aid on the day of the attacks.) A moving keynote address was given by retired Lt. Colonel Birdwell—who was on duty in a staff position at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Art Seifert, President of U.S. Risk Underwriters and CEO of Lighthouse told us after the event that “it brought home how selfless first responders are on a day-to-day basis. They have enormous personal commitment, but not always the tools they need. That's why the Fireman's Fund Heritage program is so significant.” U.S. Risk and Lighthouse have directed more than $230,000 in Heritage grants so far and plan to keep that number growing.
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Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis
Rubin presents Secretary Michael Chertoff a firehat symbolizing his
being made an honorary chief of the department.
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The ceremony was capped off with a full-length screening of “Into the Fire.” “What I found gratifying,” says Chief Rubin, “was that after a 45-minute ceremony, most of the audience stayed and was mesmerized by ‘Into the Fire.' As a partner with Fireman's Fund we were able to tell the story of our department's response to 9/11 attack on the Pentagon but the contributions first responders make to our country every day.” Chief Rubin plans to send government officials who attended copies of the movie: “It shows our profession in a way that otherwise they would not see.”
Fireman's Fund also held memorial events at our offices across the country. At our corporate headquarters, hundreds of employees and Fireman's Fund CEO Chuck Kavitsky joined local fire service personnel for a ceremony and moment of silence.
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Screenings Continue Across the Country
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Other screenings of “Into the Fire” continue, educating people throughout the country about the challenges fire service personnel face every day—as well as the triumphs they achieve. From New Jersey to Oregon, fire departments are benefiting from this documentary.
We encourage your fire department to host a screening of “Into the Fire” at your annual open house, county fair, or regular department fundraisers — or even as part of another community event. Fireman's Fund will provide a complete guide to organizing a screening, using the Incident Command System. This screening playbook offers guidelines and tips to help facilitate a successful screening, as well as a draft incident action plan. Additionally, the playbook comes with electronic templates of items like posters, flyers, email and print invitations, a press release and even opening and closing comments.
To get a free copy of the screening playbook, email heritage@ffic.com or call 866.440.8716. We will then work to identify staff or local independent insurance agencies in the area that may be able to support your screening.
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