Scots tribute to US firefighters

Firefighters laid wreaths in memory of their counterparts

Firefighters have gathered in Glasgow for a ceremony to honour their US counterparts who died in the attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace joined representatives from fire brigades across Scotland for the service at the Citizen Firefighter statue in Gordon Street, in the city centre.

More than 300 New York firefighters were killed as they tried to save workers trapped in the twin towers on 11 September.

Last week, the Scottish secretary travelled to New York to lay a wreath at a memorial service for the police and firefighters who perished in the terrorist attacks.

Jeff Ord: "Commemorate bravery of firefighters"

During her visit Helen Liddell said the events of 11 September had acted to draw those opposed to terrorism together.

Strathclyde Firemaster Jeff Ord and Glasgow's Lord Provost Alex Mosson made contributions during the service.

Mr Wallace spoke of Scotland's strong links with the US before laying a wreath under the statue in Gordon Street.

He said: "The fresh memory of the attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September is still painful and distressing to all of us.

"The loss of so many innocent people, and especially those going to help, adds to the senselessness of the utter waste which occurred that day.

'Special relationship'

"It is a poignant reminder of the selfless actions the fire service engage in as a matter of duty in order to protect the public.

"For this we are thankful and I would like to pay tribute to all the emergency services who carry out these duties on an almost daily basis.

"This ceremony underlines not only the special relationship which exists in the world-wide family of the fire service, but also that wider link which extends between Scotland and America.

Firefighters from across Scotland attended

"Each of those firefighters is a heartfelt loss and each of those whom they left behind has our compassion and sympathy."

Mr Ord said: "Today everyone is represented from all the family of the fire service in Scotland.

"And we have our own minister as well. This is really to commemorate the bravery and the courage of those firefighters and express our sympathy to their family and friends."

One Strathclyde firefighter, Gary Dowdall, said he and his colleagues watched the events of 11 September unfold in shock and disbelief.

"I don't think anyone could quite believe it. I remember watching it on the TV for two or three hours at the time," he said.

"Even people I spoke to two or three days later couldn't take it in, what we were seeing was unbelievable."