A Leicestershire firefighter has witnessed first hand the pride and loss felt by New York City counterparts when he was invited to a private memorial service remembering those killed in the 9/11 terror attacks.

Eleven firefighters from FDNY (Fire Department New York) Rescue 1, which covers the borough of Manhattan, were killed when the Twin Towers collapsed 10 years ago.

Ian Nuttall, of the county's technical rescue team, was a guest at Rescue 1's West 34th Street fire house on Sunday, where hundreds of firefighters and victims' families had gathered to remember those who died in the line of duty.

The 31-year-old, who lives off Narborough Road South, Leicester, said it was one of the most "humbling" experiences of his life.

Speaking from New York, he said: "I'd spent a day last week riding with one of the crews from Rescue 1, talking to the guys and picking up tips on how they deal with emergency situations.

"Most of them knew some of the guys who died and, obviously, I was aware that with the anniversary coming up it was an incredibly poignant time for them, so when I was invited to attend the service, I felt very honoured.

"Many of the families and friends of the firefighters who died were there.

"It was extremely moving and emotional. With the anniversary, there has been lots of media interest in the various commemoration events, so to be invited to a private service for the guys and their families was a great privilege and very humbling indeed."

Ian was also invited along to an American football memorial game on Sunday evening, between the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, where an address was given by former US president George W Bush.

The Rescue 1 casualties were among 341 firefighters and two paramedics from the New York City Fire Department killed on September 11, 2001.

Ian has spent the past week with current Rescue 1 crews as part of a five-week visit to the United States, where he has been learning how his American counterparts prepare for and deal with disasters.

The trip was made possible by a £5,000 fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, which pay for overseas travel that will enhance a person's effectiveness in their chosen career.

Ian was one of seven Leicestershire firefighters sent to Christchurch following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on February 21 which killed 166 people, where he spent six days working 12-hour shifts recovering bodies.

His American tour, which has just left, before he returns to the UK on September 20, has also included a week with the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department, in Florida – who deal with the fallout from hurricanes – and a week shadowing LA County Fire Department's California Task Force 2, an international rescue team.

He said: "It's been amazing, once in a lifetime experience.

"I've learnt a hell of a lot. However, it's the conversations with firefighters that have been the most useful.

"They treated me as their brother and, as 9/11 proved, some things you just can't prepare for."

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