Chicago firefighters, leaders honor 9/11 heroes 'who stepped up…stepped into action'

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Members of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) and city leaders gathered in River North Wednesday morning to honor those who died while responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

It was 7:46 a.m. when CFD’s Engine No. 42 gathered for a moment of silence.

The time was 23 years, to the minute, after the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The attacks would claim the lives of nearly 3,000 people, including more than 300 members of the New York City Fire Department.

CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said Chicago firefighters recognize their sacrifice.

“They got up going to work, doing what they would do every day,” she said. “Unfortunately, a terrorist caused that day to change drastically, not just for them but for a lot of other people and heroes, who stepped up that day and stepped into action.”

The moment of silence was followed by the ceremonial ringing of the bell by retired CFD Battalion Chief Jake Jakubec.

Jackubec said the bell is rung on the anniversary of line of duty deaths.

“Every day at roll call, we mention whoever it was, no matter what day it was,” he said. “If there are one, three [or] five that happened to die, it’s always mentioned and brought up at roll call to never forget, because when we go out that door after we hear the bell, you might never come back — like the 343 that didn’t.”

More than 100 members of the Chicago police department and CFD traveled to New York after the attacks to aid in rescue efforts.

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