STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The New York City Fire Department has announced a year-long commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 to honor the fallen and fulfill its promise to “never forget.”
Members of the department gathered at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George Tuesday afternoon to announce the major effort to honor the sacrifice of both the 343 members killed on 9/11 and the more than 400 members who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses.
“This is a massive undertaking that will attract the attention of people from around the world,” said First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra.
First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra addresses the crowd at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2025.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence
The main large-scale ceremony will be held on Sept. 9, 2026 at the stadium, which is not far from the Postcards Memorial. The commemoration will include the release of a 25th-anniversary health report to share updated data on the long-term health impacts of 9/11 on department members.
A short film will also be produced to honor the life and legacy of the FDNY chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge, the first recorded victim of the attacks. The film will explore his legacy of kindness, service and leadership, which is said to resonate throughout the department today.
“It is hard to grasp that 25 years have passed since this department’s darkest days,’’ Guerra said. ”While a quarter of a century has passed, it still in many ways feels like yesterday.
“As we plan these events, we’ve tried to be thoughtful and respectful and carry the honor and tradition of the FDNY into everything we do because we want to show the world and the FDNY families that when we do this and when we say things like ‘we will never forget,’ we truly mean it.”
Scheduled commemorative events are listed for the upcoming year.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence
The department will launch a special podcast series on its “FDNY Pro” platform, hosted by actor Gary Sinise. In the series, Sinise will feature first-hand stories of bravery and survival from FDNY members.
The podcasts will offer personal and powerful perspectives on the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. The series will be available for listening even after the anniversary month has passed.
To manage the significant undertaking, a ‘committee in formation’ has been immediately appointed to handle the details of all planned events. The committee is composed of high-ranking FDNY officials, including FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, Chief of Department John Esposito and Guerra.
The department’s year-long commemoration will include a ceremony at SIUH Community Park, near the Postcards Memorial in September 2026.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence
It also includes the FDNY Foundation, representatives from public information, medical services, family assistance, and the ceremonial unit.
Guerra emphasized that the department’s mission since 9/11 has been to remember the lives lost, protect the legacy of the fallen, and evolve into a smarter, safer and more prepared department.
Pictured here are the names of the 343 members killed on 9/11 and the more than 400 members who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses memorialized on a firetruck.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence
“9/11 was a turning point in so many ways for the FDNY and for the foundation,’’ said Matt D. Libero of the FDNY Foundation. ”Clearly, there was a renewed appreciation for the incredible danger that the men and women of the FDNY face every single day while protecting the lives and property in a city this large where truly anything can happen. Some of the city’s greatest firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics were lost that day, and their loss is still felt.”
Matt D. Libero, of the FDNY Foundation, addresses the crowd at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2025.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence
As part of the tribute, the FDNY will unveil a special commemorative emblem to be affixed to memorial fire and EMS apparatus and featured at events throughout the year. A patch version will be available for purchase at the FDNY shop, with all proceeds supporting the FDNY Foundation.
“Since 9/11, the foundation has provided the department over $200 million and our objective is to raise even more than that over the coming years,” Libero said.
As the official not-for-profit arm of the FDNY, the foundation’s dual mission is to promote fire safety education and to bridge the funding gap for the department’s critical needs, including advanced training and equipment.
The department’s year-long commemoration will include a ceremony at Staten Island’s stadium near the Postcards Memorial in September 2026.Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence