Today is the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where nearly 3000 people died and more than 6000 were injured at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. Included among those killed and injured were hundreds of, fire fighters, police officers, and emergency responders.

Michelle Fischer is a member of the Knoxville Fire and Rescue Department. She says that the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie is especially strong among all emergency response officials, and it works to strengthen both their personal and professional lives. She adds that no matter where an incident occurs, there’s a bond among emergency personnel and it impacts them all.

Pella Ambulance Director Doug Polking says that bond affects all first responders, whether in a big city or a small community. He tells us that a lot has changed since 9/11, especially in terms of communication equipment that allows them to be in contact with first responders in other towns. That equipment has been used several times in Marion County over the summer, for several large fires and for drownings at Lake Red Rock, where multiple agencies needed to be coordinated quickly.