World Trade Center Steel Coming to Whitpain Township on Wednesday

After almost three years of waiting, Second Alarmers Rescue Squad in Whitpain Township will bring home a piece of the World Trade Center in New York.

Jamie Haddon, executive director of SARS, said when he saw the opportunity to receive a piece of the World Trade Center, he jumped at the chance and applied.

On Wednesday, July 27, the 12.5 foot, 3,105 pound artifact will make its way from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to Whitpain Township, concluding at the with a ceremony to begin around 4 p.m., depending on traffic and travel conditions from New York.

The piece will be incorporated into a memorial at the new SARS station being built next to the Whitpain Township building; an exact location has not yet been determined.

There will be a ceremonial processional, including members of SARS, the Whitpain Township Police Department, Centre Square Fire Company and other surrounding emergency service departments.

The procession will makes its way from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and turn west on Germantown Pike. The procession will turn from Germantown Pike onto Walton Road, then left onto Township Line Road, a right onto Union Meeting Road, a left onto Jolly Road, and a  right on Wentz Road to come to a final rest at the Whitpain Township building, at 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell.

"It's our hope that people will be along the route and then meet at the township building," said Haddon.

The steel is due to come in on a flatbed truck and will be at the township building for a week and outside for residents and neighbors to come, reflect and enjoy the piece. The piece will then be put in storage until the monument is built.

The monument is expected to be complete by the fall, and a formal dedication ceremony will be held then, planned for sometime in September.

“It’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11,” said Haddon, “What better time … then right away.”

The ceremony will feature local politicians State Sens. John Rafferty and Stewart Greenleaf, State Reps. Mike Gerber, Kate Harper and Josh Shapiro, and Whitpain Township Chair of the Board of Supervisors Joe Palmer. Haddon said they are still waiting to hear back from many others, as well.

Haddon said this piece of steel is a special reminder of the sacrifice of the men and women dispatched to the World Trade Centers on Sept. 11, 2001. And, SARS was one of the few local units to also be dispatched to New York to aid in the 9/11 rescue efforts.

SARS will be live tweeting Wednesday during the pick up of the WTC steel at @SecondAlarmers on Twitter and on Facebook.