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Modified 3-Jan-24
Created 26-Jul-11
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On July 23, 2011 the Fire Riders of the FDNY along with the 911 Fire Family Transportation Foundation left New York at 7:00 AM bound for Baltimore. The convoy would be carrying a 10’ piece of steel from the destroyed World Trade Center destined to become part of a memorial at the Baltimore City Fire Department’s Fire Academy. The procession consisted of a 1987 tractor trailer flatbed truck carrying the steel, a restored 1952 Mack fire engine, a truck pulling the “Bell of Remembrance” and well over 75 New York City Fire Riders escorted by Police. As part of the Iron and Steel Run from New York to Baltimore, the convoy then met up with about 50 motorcycle riders from the Baltimore City Fire Department Riders Group at Mikes Famous Harley Davidson in New Castle, Delaware.
As they made their way long the route on I-95 almost every overpass was occupied by firefighters with their apparatus as well as civilians waving flags and cheering and in honor of the 343 firefighters lost in the attack on the World Trade Center.
The convoy arrived at the Baltimore Convention Center around 2:00PM where the 2011 Firehouse Expo was concluding. Hundreds of spectators including firefighters and police lined both sides of the entrance and welcomed the iconic ten foot long, two ton piece of steel.
Arrangements were made to stow the steel and the apparatus in the convoy at the Steadman Station for the night following the display. On Sunday morning at 8:00AM the convoy would assemble again and proceed through the streets of Baltimore to the Baltimore Fire Academy for a formal ceremony to receive the steel. Along the route Baltimore companies and their crews would be stationed at various intersections to salute the convoy as it made its way to east Baltimore ending up at the Fire Academy.
As the ceremony began at the Academy the truck carrying the steel was led by the Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums of Greater Baltimore and followed by a large bronze bell. This ceremony marked the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attack in New York on September 11, 2001. During the ceremony Chief Clack thanked New York for the steel and the sacrifices that the New York firefighters made on that fateful day of the attack. Encouraging comments were also made by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and other City dignitaries and chiefs of the Fire Department.
A plaque and a Baltimore Fire Department flag were presented to FDNY Battalion Chief Dillon by Chief Clack and Assistant Chief Heinbuch. In return a New York Fire Department helmet from Ladder 4 was given to the Baltimore Fire Department and will be on display in the Fire Academy’s 9-11 memorial display. The World Trade Center steel will be on display here and eventually will be the centerpiece of a projected 9.5 million dollar renovation of the training academy.
The Fire Family Transport Foundation who led this event is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to help families of the firefighters in their times of greatest need by transporting firefighters, family, and department personnel when needed. On a broader scale, they are dedicated to the good of the community in building awareness of the often overlooked needs of the Fire Department family.

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