The aerial quint ladder truck, which arrived in Seaside a year-and-a-half ago but didn't receive its official public unveiling until Saturday.

No responding agency felt the tragedy of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks more than the New York City Fire Department. Three-hundred-forty-three city firefighters lost their lives in the aftermath of the terrorist attack.

Last Saturday’s open house for the Seaside Fire Department coincided with that date 20 years ago.

Lt. Matt Keefer said he was only 9 at the time, but he remembers being on the couch before school. “I wasn’t really able to grasp it, but did help spark the interest in the fire service,” Keefer said.

Fire Chief Joey Daniels said 9/11 is an important day for the Seaside Fire Department. “We support everybody in the fire service and the police department who made the ultimate sacrifice in their job of saving the public.”

Fire volunteers and staff wore special T-shirts honoring the anniversary.

This is the first department open house since the pandemic began, Keefer said.

“Due to COVID restrictions, when we got our new ladder truck, we weren’t able to show it off to the public and let everyone see it,” he said. “This is the first time it’s been out in the public as a public event. We wanted to give everyone hamburgers and hot dogs and to come see all of our equipment.”

“We appreciate everybody coming out,” Daniels said. “We wanted to say thanks to the community, for always supporting us, even through these are tough times for all of us.”