Kansas City, Mo. ? The man charged with restoring the security of America’s transportation systems after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is asking the country’s firefighters for help.

James Loy, chief of the Transportation Security Administration, said Saturday that firefighters already knew how to train for and respond quickly to unexpected emergencies.

“The American people know that when they need help, you will always be there,” Loy told thousands of firefighters at the annual convention of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “You have set the standard. We want to work with firefighters to rise to that reputation, to reach that level of respect.”

The Transportation Security Administration was created after Sept. 11, focusing first on airport security. But Loy said its mission would eventually expand to all modes of transportation including railroads, trucking and ports.

Loy said the security administration’s roots were “unfortunately, firmly planted in the blood that was spilled on 9-11. But we are charged with looking to the future.”

About 17,000 fire chiefs and personnel are attending the weekend conference, focusing on speeches and workshops on how fire departments must respond to potential new terrorist attacks.

Loy said the transportation administration would turn to firefighters for help establishing and implementing proper training and response procedures.

“You do that better than anyone in the world,” Loy said. “We need to go to school with you.”