Santa Monica residents can join firefighters, city officials and public safety partners Friday morning for an hour-long ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The Santa Monica Fire Department's Day of Service and Remembrance begins at 7:30 a.m. at Fire Station 1, 1337 Seventh St. The ceremony runs until 8:30 a.m., the city announced in a Sept. 3 news release.

The department holds the ceremony each year as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance. This year's event will honor the 343 firefighters who died responding to the World Trade Center, the Argonaut reported.

Fire Station 1 houses a steel artifact recovered from the World Trade Center site. The piece sits on permanent display outside the department's community room and is available for public viewing during normal business hours.

The department said it holds the annual ceremony to remember those killed and to recognize the service of first responders.

Countywide volunteer events

The ceremony is one of several events across Los Angeles County tied to the anniversary. L.A. Works, a volunteer organization, is coordinating service projects throughout the week under the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Deborah Brutchey, executive director of L.A. Works, called Sept. 11 a terrible day of loss and said the 25th anniversary offers a chance "to honor those who were lost and put in harm's way by choosing service."

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, L.A. Works brought volunteers to the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center for a beautification project that included fire engine restoration, painting and planting. That effort was supported by the 2026 9/11 Day Grant Program, administered by the nonprofit 9/11 Day in collaboration with AmeriCorps.

Two more events follow the anniversary. On Saturday, Sept. 12, volunteers will clear overgrown brush on burned lots in Altadena to help residents recovering from the Eaton Fire who face potential county citations. On Sunday, Sept. 13, volunteers head to Barnsdall Art Park for fire mitigation work, clearing invasive plants and disposing of brush.

The Friday ceremony at Fire Station 1 is free and open to the public. Residents can contact the Santa Monica Fire Department for more information at [email protected].