Sunday marks the 15 year anniversary of one of the most devastating days in modern world history.

Four passenger airliners were used as methods of terrorism crashing into the World Trade Centre towers, the Pentagon and a small field in Pennsylvania killing almost 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2011.

9/11 was one of the deadliest incidents also for first responders, as many people were fleeing from the danger in New York, EMS, police and fire services were on the scene trying to save as many people they could prior and following collapse of the two towers on that September morning.

Okotoks Fire Chief Ken Thevenot says it's an unfortunate part of the job and you can never be fully prepared for any event that occurs on a small or large scale.

"Every first responder, when they go to work in the morning or the night shift, is not thinking of doing on that particular shift at the station, but in the back of their minds I think it's what they're prepared to do out in the field to save individuals," he says."So they'll go above and beyond, they'll put their life on the line to save somebody in the time of need."

Thevenot remembers exactly where he was on 9/11 as he was on shift when the harsh reality of the events really started to kick in as all his crew could do was watch in complete, utter disbelief.

"We all went and just started watching the events unfold at that time and it was something even after that day shortly after that and the support we tried to show from a first responder level to the individuals at that area. You can't even understand how and why it would happen."

Thevenot says the unfortunate events that occurred 15 years ago will be never forgotten among those that are called into duty every day to make communities safe and it doesn't hurt to say thank you to those that show up first when you're in danger.

"That day in particular is a good day to thank first responders because at times we do take them for granted. I always hear the comments 'I phone and I just think you guys will just come' and we always seem to go when people are having a bad day and try to make it a little bit better and help them out in any way we can."

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com