Tulare firefighters honor 9/11 heroes with annual memorial blood drive

TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) -- As portion of Firefighter Appreciation Month, ABC30 is recognizing immoderate of our section departments and each they bash to support america safe.

On Thursday, the Tulare Fire Department joined the assemblage to footwear disconnected the 19th yearly Tulare Rotary 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, honoring the lives mislaid successful the September 11 attacks and supporting section patients successful need.

The event, held successful concern with the Central California Blood Center, drew an estimated 700 donors, a important summation from the fewer twelve who participated erstwhile the thrust archetypal began astir 2 decades ago.

Tulare Fire Chief Michael Ott said the lawsuit holds heavy meaning for his department, which has supported the humor thrust for respective years.

"343 firefighters died that day, and we proceed to suffer firefighters from the FDNY owed to cancer-related issues," Ott said. "We mislaid a fig of large men and women that day."

Ott emphasized the value of camaraderie among archetypal responders and the department's committedness to nationalist service.

"We get unneurotic with our brothers and sisters with a small much vigor erstwhile they're retired connected the calls," helium said.

While the humor thrust coincides with Firefighter Appreciation Month, Ott said his section remains focused connected its ngo year-round.

"I personally wouldn't accidental a month," helium said. "We conscionable support doing our bully enactment for our citizens."

The Tulare Rotary 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive continues to turn each year, serving arsenic some a tribute to the victims of the 2001 attacks and a captious root of humor donations for the region.