Why do fire trucks have '343' on the back?

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The number 9/11 has long been associated with the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, but another number has also become a symbol for first responders of that fateful day.

Twenty-three years ago, 343 New York City firefighters lost their lives at the World Trade Center. In honor of that, hundreds of flags are on display at Topeka Fire Station number eight. 

Captain Ty Foreshee, with the Topeka Fire Department said every year on Sept. 11 a local VFW post plants 343 flags at this station, which is one for each of the firefighters killed at ground zero.

However, you might also see the number on the back of Topeka fire trucks. Forshee has an answer for those wondering why. 

"We also have 343 on the back of our trucks and we get a lot of questions about that," Forshee said. "Most fire trucks you see say to keep back 300 or keep back 500 feet. And we put 343 on our fire trucks. And what that is, it is an homage to the New York City firefighters that died on 9/11."

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