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.
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The fund supports 137,000 people affected by toxic exposure from the attacks at the World Trade Center, as well as the plane crashes in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon
Funding for the WTC Health Program is secured through 2027, but a federal resolution passed in December 2024 left its long-term financial future uncertain
Senators Schumer and Gillibrand stated the program serves at least 132,000 Americans impacted by the deadly terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001
Jack McNamara, 9, held a sign that read, “Don’t let other dads die! I miss my dad, FDNY firefighter John F. McNamara.”
Batt. Chief James Costello, 52, died the day before Thanksgiving; officials continue to urge Congress to reauthorize the Zadroga Act
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act must pass out of four key committees and secure agreement on a way to pay for it
Building for America’s Bravest program builds high-tech smart homes for catastrophically injured fire service members
Developers say the controversial experience showing a World Trade Center worker’s perspective, called “08:46,” is a “tribute to the victims”
The 5-foot-long, 3,500-pound beam, one of the last pieces of the World Trade Center, is being given to a fire department in Colorado
Federal officials who administer the program say it will face challenges by February and will have to start shutting down by next summer
The annual Stephen Siller 5K Run and Walk honors the off-duty firefighter who raced in full gear toward Ground Zero during the 9/11 terrorist attack
In 2010, Stewart dedicated an episode of “The Daily Show” to shame Congress into passing the Zadroga Act
Customers said the employees were disrespectful, saying that volunteer firefighters were “fake” since they didn’t have a uniform to wear as proof
He rarely left his room at his parents’ house where he posted his boasts on a site frequented by ISIS supporters; he confided in an online acquaintance that he was an “online troll” who liked to stir up trouble through hoaxes
The golden retriever traveled from Cypress, Texas, with her owner, Denise Corliss, to work with dozens of other dogs and humans to find victims in the rubble of the World Trade Center
The fire chief said the trip served as a bonding moment not only among fathers and children, but among the young firefighters
The 42-year-old firefighter is seen dancing with his 4-year-old son; the video has been shared more than 1,500 times
Joshua Goldberg, 20, is accused of sending instruction to an FBI informant on how to make a pressure-cooker bomb; if convicted, he could face 20 years in prison
The most profound loss on that fateful day in 2001 was the loss of family
They added the names of the firefighters who died of illness after being part of the rescue and recovery effort
Lt. Joe Torrillo: “Don’t be afraid when life throws a detour sign in your way. Embrace it.”
Lawmakers called on Congress to prevent expiration of the James Zadroga Sept. 11 Health and Compensation Act, which is set to expire next year
The mother-of-two blamed her illness on inhaling dust particles
A volunteer group of police officers, firefighters and union workers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks will work with Newtown’s first responders on a year-long program to treat symptoms of crime-scene trauma
The 63-year-old, who’s retired, gets $3.3 million in a lump-sum payment after taxes are taken out
Michael O’Connell carried his helmet home when he retired in 2009, shortly after being diagnosed with sarcoidosis
Proceeds from the May 17 climb will support service members who’ve been catastrophically injured in war and help educate children who’ve lost a parent
The terrorist attack on the twin towers was one of two big events that set the stage for a change in evacuation philosophy
James Woods, 44, completed a 24-hour shift Christmas morning, returned home and felt ill
Chief Russell Brooks said they started putting the sign up after the 9/11 terrorist attacks
She will be the first daughter of a firefighter who died on 9/11 to become a firefighter
Firefighters cut the window’s glass and rescued the window washers trapped on the scaffolding dangling 69 stories
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