Christchurch firefighters honour NY counterparts

File photo / Bradley Ambrose

Leaving a backlog of calls, about 30 Canterbury firefighters marched to a 9/11 memorial service paying tribute to New York firefighters who lost their lives.

Since Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake, firefighters have put their own needs second to look after their community, Fire Service Acting National Commander Paul McGill said.

Many suffered damage to their own homes but turned up to work each day to help others.

But today they took time out - for just half an hour - to remember the hundreds of New York firefighters killed when the twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed.

"This is the most fitting tribute to the 343 firefighters that lost their lives nine years ago today," Mr McGill said.

This morning's service was held at Firefighters Park where a sculpture of steel girders from the World Trade Centre - gifted from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg - stands as a memorial to the fallen firefighters.

Paul Fissick, representing the US Embassy, transported firefighters from the rubble to the stations in the aftermath of 9/11.

Today he told of the New York firefighters' concern for others, a trait being seen in Christchurch in the wake of the earthquake. It was a "spirit of selflessness" binding firefighters and our countries together, he said.

St Albans station officer Murray Jamieson said they had received calls from New York firefighters. "They are thinking of us and saluting our guys for what they are doing."

The New York firefighters gave their all on 9/11, and while the circumstances were completely different, he saw local firefighters doing their utmost too, he said. "These are tough times, but they are doing it."

The service was organised by the American club whose members attended, waving both the New Zealand and United States flags.

The there about 8000 Americans living in Christchurch.

- NZPA