Mayor recalls Richmond’s role in aftermath of 9/11 attacks as planes grounded at YVR

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — As the world solemnly marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks in New York, Richmond’s mayor is reflecting on how his city jumped into action to help others.

After the deadliest attack of terrorism on U.S. soil took place, dozens of planes were diverted to the Vancouver International Airport and grounded in Richmond as the North American airspace closed.

Malcolm Brodie was named Richmond’s mayor just a few weeks after the fatal attacks and recounts the day saying, “I think it was a proud moment for our city.”

“It was like a garage for airplanes. There were airplanes everywhere on the airport property. It was quite a remarkable sight … planes flew into Vancouver … which had never been part of the Vancouver experience,” Brodie explains. “Then the problem, of course, became what do you do with all the people who are on those flights.”

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Accommodations in community centers, private residences, local hotels, “every form of accommodation” were then offered to stranded flight passengers in the aftermath of the attacks.

Aside from shelter, Brodie adds, the City had also to address other necessities like food and medical situations.

“Everybody was literally flying blind. We didn’t know what was happening. We didn’t know whether there was going to be attacks on other cities. We didn’t know whether any other airplanes were in danger. We just didn’t know what the situation was, and had to quickly come to grips with it.

“So Richmond was one city that took care of the people and the airplanes on the ground. And it was a very vivid moment in our history.”

The mayor says Richmond’s response through this tragedy gave the City “a greater degree of confidence” as the City came out from under Vancouver’s shadow. He said the City’s response proved it could step up on short notice in an emergency.

“If you fell on your face, you were going to fall on your face right in front of the whole world.”

Across Canada, several communities on Saturday will honour the lives lost on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Twenty-four Canadians died that day among the 2,977 who lost their lives.

– With files from Dean Recksiedler and The Canadian Press