Firefighters to Dedicate 9/11 Plaque, Steel from World Trade Center

Fairfield firefighters say they’re gearing up for a ceremony to mark one decade since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, by dedicating a memorial to first responders who perished on that day.

According to a press release issued Tuesday by Fairfield Fire Department Asst. Chief Chris Tracy, officials during the ceremony will acknowledge receipt of steel recovered from the debris at the World Trade Center site and dedicate a plaque at its base, beside a small flower garden.

Fairfield officials began obtaining the steel more than one year ago, when the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that such relics would be available, according to Lt. John Cronin.

Together with firefighter Joe Rainis and Fire Chief Richard Felner, Cronin made arrangements to acquire the steel, Tracy said in his release.

“The application process included a request for the steel, verification of the department intent, a contract authorizing the transfer of the artifact and a certificate of insurance to obtain the steel,” Cronin said in the release. “Each step in this process required considerable work by both the department and the Port Authority culminating in the steel’s retrieval from a Port Authority hanger at JFK in New York in late May. This piece of steel is a one-inch thick I-beam about 24 inches high, 48 inches long and weighs over 600 pounds.”

Details of the ceremony:

• 10 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 9
• Fire Headquarters, 140 Reef Road