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 Ground Zero operation led to advances in incident management that continue to evolve for today’s complex and extreme events
Terry Shaffer’s family is raising money for the chief’s medical needs in the hopes he is able to find a successful donor
After 9/11, Dan Rowan, a 21-year FDNY veteran, moved from New York to Arizona to become a fourth-generation police officer – a change he says got him through some of his darkest days
The NFFF and FDNY will add the firefighters’ names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, with Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and FDNY leaders attending
Among 344 graduates, Ian Montesi, whose father died in the North Tower collapse, and Francis Donohue, whose father died of a 9/11-related illness, are following their fathers’ path
Only 14 states require 9/11 instruction, and Massachusetts hasn’t until Gov. Maura Healey directed the state to embed September 11 into curriculum framework
Marking anniversaries, like 9/11, is important for honoring those experiences and carrying forward the lessons learned
Ceremonies at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville honor nearly 3,000 victims as volunteers nationwide mark the 24th 9/11 anniversary with day-of-service projects
NYC’s pause on $850K Stabilization Fund payments has unions covering medical benefits for widows and children of 9/11 first responders
South Lockport Fire Company flags 9/11-linked cancer risks, providing coverage and stressing screening and decontamination to curb PFAS and smoke exposure
Ahead of the attacks’ 24th anniversary, the department engraved 39 newly fallen members, bringing post-9/11 illness losses to more than 400
Honor the sacrifices and the legacy left by 9/11 responders by marking the anniversary with community service, education and self-care
Guidance for managing the emotions associated with the anniversaries of traumatic incidents
Books about the catastrophic 9/11 attacks and the long return to normalcy are crucial to the historical record of those we lost and how we moved forward
Official statistics show that 343 firefighters lost their lives on that day, but there were really 344
From coast to coast, these September 11 memorials stand as solemn reminders of the courage, sacrifice and enduring spirit that emerged in the wake of tragedy
For all the men and women who were killed during the 9/11 attacks, there were countless lives saved by the bravery of others
Participants climb or walk the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters killed on September 11, 2001
343 FDNY firefighters, plus one New York fire patrolman, were killed in the terrorist attacks, along with dozens of other public safety personnel
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
More than 500 people scaled 2,200 steps at Truist Park’s Patriot Day Stair Climb, to honor fallen firefighters and raise money for Georgia firefighters and their families
When Kristin Marino wed at the Plaza Hotel, FDNY firefighters from her late father’s Rescue Company 1 stood in his place
Elizabeth Hillman reportedly told the foundation’s trustees, “Our executive compensation lags well behind that of peer institutions”
The two-year Department of Investigation probe will require biannual updates on environmental health risks first responders and survivors faced after the 2001 attacks
The Sept. 20 event honors the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11, with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted it was a mistake to cut staff from the World Trade Center Health Program but stopped short of promising to fully restore staffing
Nearly all of the 16 federal workers cut from the 9/11 health program have been rehired after intense criticism forced the Trump administration to reverse course on controversial cuts
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