09/10/2026
Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of one of the Darkest Days in American history, 9/11. We at Eaton Fire Department, first and foremost would like to send our condolences continued prayers for all those who were affected or lost their lives, and the friends and families they left behind that day.
Secondly, as it is the 25th anniversary, we are aware that it has been some time and recognize there are those among us who either were too young to remember, or were not born at a time when the events were at the forefront of our memories. This being said, if you will take the time, here is a brief summary of the timeline of that day and the toll it took on our nation.
Between 5:45am and 8:42am: 4 planes were high jacked. these included American Airlines Flights 11, and 77. As well as United Airlines flights 175 and 93
8:46am: Flight 11 crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center
8:50: FDNY battalion 1 Chief assumes command at the base of the north tower
9:03am: Flight 175 crashes into the South tower of the World Trade Center
9:29am: FDNY issues a 100% recall on all off-duty firefighters in the City
9:37am: In Washington, Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon
9:59am: The south tower collapses. Nobody still inside the Tower survives the collapse. The collapse produces 2.1 magnitude seismic waves.
10:03am: Flight 93 crashes 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in a field in Shanksville Pennsylvania, after the passengers on board overtook and forced the hijacker’s to cash the plane. The intended target of Flight 93 is unknown but is assumed to be the White House.
10:28am: The North tower collapses taking with it the Marriott hotel located at the base of the towers. 16 individuals inside the north tower would survive and later be rescued. This collapse severely damages the South side of building 7 of the World Trade Center and sets the base of the building on fire.
7:20pm: 7 World Trade Center collapses. Given the time between the time the North Tower collapsed and 7WTC collapsed, members of the FDNY were able to ensure the building was evacuated prior to its collapse.
The Total death toll of that day was 2,977. Broken down further: 2,606 died at the World Trade Center, 125 died at the pentagon including 55 military service members, all 44 people on board flight 93 died (this excludes the hijackers).
The first responder death toll by agency is as follows:
FDNY: 343 (340 firefighters, 2 paramedics, 1 Chaplain)
NYPD: 23 police officers
Port Authority: 37 port authority officers
9/11 stands as the largest single day loss of life for any fire department worldwide. Today the death toll continues to grow among first responders and those impacted by the attacks via long term respiratory diseases and cancer.
