09/11/2026
Honoring those we lost, and those who continue to serve
On this 25th anniversary of September 11, we honor the memory of a national tragedy that changed our country forever. We will never forget the fallen, nor those who still carry the weight of that day. We honor the heroism, courage, and sacrifice of firefighters and all first responders who selflessly ran into the path of danger, and we recognize the lasting toll carried by survivors, families, and responders.
Today, at the Carroll County Ceremony of Remembrance, we came together to honor the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks—a day that forever changed our nation and defined the courage of the fire and EMS community, law enforcement,911 and ordinary citizens. As we stand here among our county’s firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, sheriff ‘deputies, dispatchers, volunteers, and families, we remember the profound sacrifice made at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
On that morning in 2001, thousands of firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers ran toward danger without hesitation. They climbed stairwells filled with smoke, carried equipment into collapsing structures, and worked tirelessly to guide thousands to safety. Over 343 firefighters, 72 police officers and 8 EMS personnel perished as a result of their courage and sacrifice which we must never forget! Their actions became a symbol of unwavering bravery—an example that still shapes every Fire/EMS department and police station across this nation, including ours here in Carroll County.
But their legacy is more than numbers. It is felt in every station call, every training drill, every act of service performed quietly and professionally. It lives in the culture of brotherhood and sisterhood that binds responders together. It endures through the daily courage of firefighters and EMS providers, law enforcement and 911 personnel who continue showing up—no matter the hour, no matter the challenge—to protect neighbors, serve their communities, and honor the ones who came before.
Today, we also remember those responders who have suffered long term health effects, those we have lost since (over 400 additional), and the families who still carry the weight of that day. Their resilience calls us to do more than simply remember—it calls us to live out the values they embodied: service, unity, sacrifice, and compassion.
As we mark this 25th anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to those values in Carroll County. Let us continue preparing, training, and building strong, supported fire and EMS and law enforcement and 911 dispatch personnel. And let us ensure that future generations understand not only the tragedy of 9/11, but also the extraordinary courage displayed in its darkest hours.
To all of our Carroll County Fire & EMS, law enforcement, 911 personnel and emergency management members—career, volunteer, and retired—thank you. Your devotion keeps our communities safe. Your service honors those we lost. And your courage ensures that the promise we make today, to never forget, will endure with dignity and pride in perpetuity.
I wish to thank all DFEMS members both career and volunteer who attended this morning's ceremony, participated, provided the honor guard, played music, brought apparatus and showed up to convey our unified support for those who sacrificed so much on this date 25 years ago and to demonstrate our resilience as Carroll County's emergency responders!
Chief Michael W. Robinson
