On Thursday, the Tulare Fire Department joined the community to kick off the 19th annual Tulare Rotary 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, honoring the lives lost in the September 11 attacks and supporting local patients in need.
The event, held in partnership with the Central California Blood Center, drew an estimated 700 donors, a significant increase from the few dozen who participated when the drive first began nearly two decades ago.
Tulare Fire Chief Michael Ott said the event holds deep meaning for his department, which has supported the blood drive for several years.
"343 firefighters died that day, and we continue to lose firefighters from the FDNY due to cancer-related issues," Ott said. "We lost a number of great men and women that day."
Ott emphasized the importance of camaraderie among first responders and the department's commitment to public service.
"We get together with our brothers and sisters with a little more vigor when they're out on the calls," he said.
While the blood drive coincides with Firefighter Appreciation Month, Ott said his department remains focused on its mission year-round.
"I personally wouldn't say a month," he said. "We just keep doing our good work for our citizens."
The Tulare Rotary 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive continues to grow each year, serving as both a tribute to the victims of the 2001 attacks and a vital source of blood donations for the region.