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.
Federal lawmakers are calling the move to fire 16 staff members a betrayal of those who risked their lives in the aftermath of 9/11
Dr. John Howard has yet to be reinstated as head of the WTC Health Program, as many staff remain without jobs—“a shell game,” says FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant
The Health and Human Services Department has decided not to terminate Dr. John Howard amid plans to lay off two-thirds of NIOSH staff, preserving leadership of the World Trade Center Health Program
The all-terrain response units will also be used at the 9/11 Memorial Bicycle Ride
DOJ officials said the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund will take steps to notify nearly 1,700 claimants of their unreduced payments by Sept. 11 of this year
President Trump signed into law an extension of the Sept. 11 victim fund through 2092
The 97-2 vote sends the bill to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer reached an agreement with Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul to bring up the bill with two amendments
Richard Driscoll, a Vietnam veteran, retired from Engine Co. 91 in East Harlem in 2002 after serving the department for 32 years
Firefighter Kevin Nolan, 58, is the 199th person to pass away from Ground Zero-related sickness
Sen. Rand Paul questioned the bill’s 70-year time frame and said any new spending should be offset by corresponding cuts
Officials named the event after Richard Allen Pearlman, the youngest first responder who died during the attacks
The legislation, which fully funds and permanently reauthorizes the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, was approved by a 402-12 vote
The federal government will have to spend more than an estimated $10 billion by 2029 in its efforts to compensate first responders and survivors
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledged he will act on the bill before Congress
One measure permits volunteer first responders to qualify for disability pensions when they retire
The names of late Det. Lou Alvarez and Firefighter Ray Pfeifer are being added to the new bill to restore the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Darryl Vandermark was paired with his service dog, Patriot, and he said the canine helped dim the depression, the anxiety, the anger he had felt due to his PTSD
Luis Alvarez assumed the spotlight to push Congress into action to aid first responders who developed life-threatening diseases from the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks
Detective Luis Alvarez was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, which he traced to the three months spent in the rubble of the World Trade Center’s twin towers after the 2001 terrorist attacks
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
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