As they broke ground on a new fire station in Rio Rico, members of the Tubac Fire District remembered the day eight years ago when their comrades in New York City rushed into the burning World Trade Center.

Members of the Tubac Fire District observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks during their groundbreaking ceremony Friday in Rio Rico. Photo by Denise Holley | Santa Cruz Valley Sun

"Firefighters embody a selfless spirit," Gilbert Orrantia, director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, told about 80 people gathered in the morning sunlight on Friday. "We dedicate this site to the legions of men and women who extend themselves without a second thought."

A row of gold-painted shovels stood ready to dig into the ground at 149 Ruta Camaron off Pendleton Drive. But the solemn flag ceremony and Orrantia's words evoked the shattering events of Sept. 11, 2001.

"The world did change," Orrantia said about the terror attacks. "What did not change was our dedication to the service of others."
When people poured out of the burning towers, the firefighters went in, Orrantia said. "Forget the multimillion-dollar contract for throwing a baseball or recording a hit song. These are our heroes."

Orrantia thanked firefighters and law enforcement officers for standing ready to protect his family.
"You are not taken for granted," he said. "There are many, many people who are grateful to you."

Orrantia became the Arizona DHS director in June, after 26 years of service with the FBI. He was awarded the Medal of Valor and the FBI Star and led a counter-terrorism unit in Phoenix.

Station No. 4 will enable the Tubac Fire District to respond more quickly to the east side of Rio Rico, Chief Kevin Keeley said. "We put this station about five miles north of Rio Rico Fire District Station No. 1," Keeley said. He expected construction to take about 10 months.

By Denise Holley, Santa Cruz Valley Sun
Published Friday, September 11, 2009 5:46 PM CDT