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.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has set a goal to expand the number of states participating to 50 by 2025
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are both expected to attend 9/11 observances in New York and Pennsylvania
Multiple mayoral administrations, including Eric Adams’, have withheld the documents, fearing their release could trigger a wave of lawsuits from first responders
The relationship between the two departments began in the Civil War after sending a modern hose carriage to a department in need
Each time, he has tailored his message to the moment, at different points stressing themes of service, resilience, tolerance, reconciliation
The passengers and crew revolted against hijackers set on crashing into the White House or Capitol
The National Sept. 11 Memorial Museum was open for the first time on the anniversary
The chief did not comment, but the four firefighters say the dust up is over American flag stickers
The 1-ton and half-ton bells were used to notify volunteer firefighters between 1895 and 1923
Intelligence expert says, it is layer upon layer upon layer — not all coming from the same place or ideology
Elected officials want a 25 year-extension for the soon-to-expire fund to compensate responders who became ill working at ground zero
At issue is a county ethics rule not allowing fire trucks to participate in private-business events
Applicants got advice on failing memory tests, feigning symptoms and described fears of planes and tall buildings to support PTSD claims
Stephen Skipton Sr. was a 25-year veteran of the fire service and also responded to the World Trade Center attacks
More than 2,500 Ground Zero responders are seeking compensation for cancer, up from 1,140 cases reported last year
It was returned with a note that said: “I am so sorry, I had no idea.”
Jonathan Ielpi was a 29-year-old FDNY firefighter working out of Squad 288 in Queens when he died on Sept. 11
He became a surrogate dad to the children of his best friend and fellow firefighter who died Sept. 11; he was surprised and thanked by star players of the New York Jets
Lt. Steven Reisman, 54, battled an aggressive and advanced form of brain cancer since 2011
Firefighters responded but later said it turned out to be false; there were no injuries
There are symbols of heroism, ranging from damaged fire trucks to the wristwatch of one of the airline passengers who confronted the hijackers
The remains will be transferred to a repository 70 feet underground in the same building as the National September 11 Memorial Museum
Mother of a firefighter who died during the attack does not want the unidentified remains in a basement, calling it disrespectful
The heart attack stemmed from a 9/11-related lung ailment that caused firefighter Luis Fragoso to retire in 2002
Retired firefighters and police officers are accused of falsely claiming they had depression, PTSD or other psychological problems so crushing they couldn’t work
The brother in-law of a Pentagon hijacker is accused of an attack on a French tanker off Yemen in 2002
The glow from the 300 LED light modules can be seen 50 miles away
While responders fought their illnesses, they have frequently found that they had to fight legal battles as well
The memory of my son lives on through his generous and kind deeds during his young life
I will never forget how warm and understanding the British were to the loss of so many Americans and first responders
Lawmakers said they filed a petition with the 9/11 health program to require an immediate review of an FDNY study
I have the obligation to carry on the traditions and respect the 343 brothers and sisters helped to build
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