Ben Kennedy
New York Firefighters Remember 9/11

Posted: Sep 11, 2008 04:51 AM PDT

Updated: Sep 11, 2008 05:16 AM PDT

Almost seven years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Plattsburgh Firefighters still remember.

"Once we got to Ground Zero and saw what they call the pit, it was nothing that you had ever seen before," Chris Mitchell said.

"You could see on the faces and expressions of the locals there that everybody in New York City was just totally shell shocked," Lt. Todd Aley said.

Lt. Todd Aley was one of many Plattsburgh Firefighters who went to New York City to help after the 9/11 attacks.

He says on the drive down, no one knew what to expect.

"It was really somber, quiet and peaceful," Lt Aley said.

"The smell, the smoke still rising from this huge pit of rubble," Mitchell said.

They were assigned to help provide Emergency Medical Services for crews working in the disaster area.

After hours of work, firefighters waited in long lines for buses to take them back to their stations and Plattsburgh crews stepped in to help.

They loaded dozens of firefighters in ambulances, taking them back to their stations.

"They got back sooner and they were appreciative of that. It was something that we could do that we saw a need for," Lt. Aley said.

Now a piece of the Trade Center from the rubble hangs in the fire station a gift from New York City.

"The New York City firefighters we really gained a real true respect for because they were working night and day, they didn't lay down," Lt. Aley said.

A plaque was also put outside the station, honoring those who lost their life seven years ago.

"It changed my whole outlook on the world when that happened, makes me more proud to be a fireman right now," Lt. Aley said.

Thursday the Plattsburgh Fire Department will have a moment of silence, honoring and remembering everyone involved in the 9/11 attacks.

http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=8990146