As the nation remembers the day in September 15 years ago when passenger jets were flown into the Twin Tower skyscrapers in Manhattan, into the Pentagon, and forced down in a Pennsylvania field, Santa Barbara County will mark 9/11 with ceremonies at County Fire headquarters and the 16 county fire stations. Flags will be lowered to half-mast and silence will recall the thousands who died that day, as well as the first responders affected and the members of the military who have been killed in the wars that followed. Among the hopeful Ground Zero rescuers in the aftermath were a Santa Barbara County rescue dog and its handler, said fire spokesperson Capt. David Zaniboni, but few were found alive.
At County Fire’s main offices at 4410 Cathedral Oaks Road, Chief Eric Peterson and Undersheriff Bernard Melekian will speak during the memorial, which begins at 9 a.m. countywide. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies at any fire department along with the first responders present.