On September 11, 2001, terrorists used hijacked airplanes as weapons to attack the United States. Two planes hit the World Trade Center towers in New York City. One plane flew into the side of the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers stormed the cockpit. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attack.
Thousands of first responders answered the call that day to search for survivors amid the rubble, smoke and debris, with 343 firefighters ultimately perishing in the collapse of the Twin Towers and countless more succumbing to 9/11-related illnesses from working at Ground Zero.
Use this resource page to learn about developments in healthcare protections for 9/11 first responders, read the experiences of those who were there and reflect on those who left a legacy behind.
To share your 9/11 story, please email editor@firerescue1.com.
Seeing the brave first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, showed me what I wanted to be when I grew up
The White House confirms early talks on turning the 9/11 Memorial & Museum into a federally run national monument, drawing pushback from state leaders and the site’s nonprofit operator
FDNY Ceremonial Unit leader Lt. Joseph LaPointe, who has guided hundreds of funerals and every Ground Zero anniversary since 2001, is stepping down after 35 years of service
Detective Luis Alvarez appeared with comedian Jon Stewart earlier this month to plead with Congress to extend the fund
Fund advocates say Sen. Mitch McConnell committed to scheduling a vote in August to renew the fund before it expires
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday said that it was good that McConnell agreed to meet with 9/11 responders, but that the GOP leader needs to promise to make funding permanent
The dedication of the monument was initially planned on Sept. 11, 2018, marking the 17th anniversary of the attacks, but organizers decided that more time was needed to complete the project
“It would also be helpful if the administration would kind of weigh in and I haven’t really seen any specific indication from them on where they stand,” IAFF President Harold Schaitberger said
Advocate and comedian slams lack of attendance at hearing on a bill that would ensure first responder benefits for 70 years
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The 9/11 Memorial Glade honors rescue and recovery workers who were sickened or died after responding to the Sept. 11 attacks
Dr. Michael Guttenberg and William Ryan passed away from 9/11-related illnesses
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski sat down with FireRescue1 to discuss the needs of fire leaders, and how to ensure resources are available for wildfire prevention and disaster relief
Retired FDNY Lt. Timothy O’Neill died April 5, and Firefighter Kevin Lennon on April 4, both from 9/11-related cancers, and retired Fire Marshal Michael Andreachi died within the same period
The workers, including paramedics and EMTs, have been granted unlimited sick leave as they fight the illnesses linked to their time at Ground Zero
A 3-foot wide piece of limestone from the front of the Pentagon will be part of a proposed 9/11 memorial next to the Shawnee Township Fire Department
Jon Stewart said it was “nonsense” that first responders and their families again have to “beg” Congress for money nearly 18 years after the attacks
With just $2.375 billion left to spend on 20,000 pending cases, compensation packages will have to be cut in half on all claims
A tribute to thousands of responders is taking shape in Vermont; it will be installed this spring at the national Sept. 11 memorial
Frank Sansonetti, who was on the scene at Ground Zero on 9/11, is competing against other athletes to be named a Titan
Joseph Rodriguez, 59, died of lung cancer he contracted from the hours he spent assisting in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero
The law makes firefighters, cops and emergency service officers fatally sickened by the toxic debris pile eligible for the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor
The children of Keith Young, who died of 9/11-related cancer, pitched his innovative cutting board to the Sharks, who all collaborated on a deal
Eddie Finn is going in alphabetic order and honoring one firefighter who lost their life while responding to 9/11 each day
FDNY EMT Felipe Torre , 54, succumbed to Ground Zero-related gall bladder cancer while under hospice care
A bipartisan group is asking their counterparts in Congress to permanently fund the program designed to help responders and other victims of the attacks
The national bird landed on top of a firefighters’ aerial truck parked on a highway overpass in the northern Minneapolis suburb of Coon Rapids
On the 17th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, agencies around the country are honoring the day with remembrance posts
Each year at ground zero, victims’ relatives infuse the ceremony with personal messages of remembrance, inspiration and concern
“As many fans as the Mets have, that’s awesome that they don’t forget the guys who passed away on 9/11,” FDNY firefighter Juan Rivera said
Over 1,000 firefighters and members of the FDNY have been diagnosed with forms of cancer, respiratory problems or other 9/11-related illnesses
Each chime generates a distinctive sound, and rows of trees that ring the site symbolize sound waves
In the years since Sept. 11, 2001, firefighters have been elevated in TV shows, movies and advertising as modern heroes
Jimmy Martinez, a World Trade Center and Hurricane Sandy first responder, died after a long battle with bone marrow cancer
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