09072017 - 911 memorial dedication (Sep. 2017) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Kenneth Hedges • (940) 349-8832 • Kenneth.Hedges@cityofdenton.com
FIRE DEPARTMENT
9/11 Firefighters Memorial Bell Tower Dedication and Denton Public Safety Day
DENTON, TX, Sept. 7, 2017—The City of Denton Public Art Committee will host a dedication
of the 9/11 Firefighters Memorial Bell Tower on Monday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Central Fire
Station, 332 E. Hickory St. The memorial is a 30-foot bell tower that houses Denton's original
bronze fire bell from City Hall West. This bell once sounded three times a day and was used to
alert residents of fires. Originally cast in 1884, the bell was recently refurbished and made fully
operational to make the same sounds as heard in historic Denton.
Beneath the original fire bell, stands an I-beam from the World Trade Center, offering the ability
to view the memorial from east to west with a visual suggestion of the landmark Twin Towers.
The inner walls of the monument display the number"343" in remembrance of the firefighters
who were killed at Ground Zero, as well as the words "courage, dedication, and service" in
honor of all firefighters.
The keynote speaker for the dedication is retired New York City firefighter Bill Spade, who was
at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. Out of the twelve responding firefighters on FDNY
Rescue 5, a unit of the Special Operations Command, Spade was the only survivor. He will share
his experiences from that unforgettable day.
After the dedication, the City of Denton Fire Department, along with the Police Department,will
be hosting a Public Safety Day until 8:30 p.m. The event will feature fire and life safety booths
and emergency preparedness booths.
In addition to vendor booths, fire and police vehicles, and other emergency equipment, will be on
display. Other exhibits include DFD's bomb robot, Sherlock the Arson Dog, rescue
demonstrations with the jaws of life, children's activities, a bounce house, and lots of hands-on
activities.
9/11 Memorial Dedication Contact: Janie McLeod, Community Events Coordinator, (940)
349-8272, Janie.McLeod@cityofdenton.com
Public Safety Day Contact: Megan Schuth, Community Service Officer, (940) 349-8848,
Megan.Schuth@cityofdenton.com
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and get connected at www.dentononline.com.
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com (TDD 800-735-2989)