Nearly 30,000 participants gathered in New York for the 'Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk', organized in memory of the 9/11 victims, particularly the 343 firefighters who died in the attacks. This sporting and human event was marked by remembrance, solidarity, and the welcome from American teams.
Arriving the day before, the Pompiers13 were welcomed by teams from a New York firehouse at 6:30 AM. They reached the race start line aboard iconic yellow American school buses, retracing the path of Stephen Siller, a New York firefighter who died at the scene after running over five kilometers in full gear to help.
The race, starting from Brooklyn and passing through the tunnel to reach Manhattan, concludes at the foot of the Freedom Tower. Upon arrival, runners are greeted by 343 New York firefighters carrying portraits of their lost colleagues. Representatives from the FBI, the Navy, and emergency services were also present, in an atmosphere of respect and patriotic fervor.
Chief Warrant Officer Xavier Ubassy, accompanied by Sergeants Dorian Gonzales, Christopher Royal, and Nicolas Slager, shared their experience of the warm welcome: 'We were welcomed not as tourists or foreign firefighters, but as true colleagues.'
The trip included visits to several New York fire stations, where the Pompiers13 were impressed by the meticulous care of equipment and the prevailing discipline. They also participated in a training session and observed a real intervention during a call for a house fire.
Beyond the race, the trip reinforced the perception of strong bonds and a spirit of solidarity among American firefighters. 'Over there, the firefighter community is a true family. There is respect for the veteran, the new recruit, and real cohesion among everyone. It's truly exceptional,' explained Chief Warrant Officer Xavier Ubassy.
This immersion facilitated rich exchanges, highlighting a different way of keeping alive the memory and solidarity among emergency services, and demonstrating the cross-border connections between French and American firefighters. A return participation is being considered for next year.
