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.
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
The FDNY 343 Ride supports the veterans that took the fight overseas after 9/11
Readers share their photos of the World Trade Center steel in their communities
As the newly installed IAFC president, I suddenly faced a new fire service focus on terrorism and preparedness
How I learned to accept a life without my father and trust that everything happens for a reason
My dad will always be a hero but so are my mom and the people from the firefighter community who have supported us
Along his 500-mile walk, Frank Siller will visit the station house that responded to the United Airlines Flight 93 crash
“It’s an honor for us to help out the community that helped us after 9/11,” said Richard DePrima, the FDNY All Hazards Team incident commander
Chief Bashoor considers what the fire service has learned since 9/11 and what more we can do to honor our fallen brothers
The pair, who each have ties to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, said the show will honor the resilience of New York City
A statement released Friday asks Biden to not attend 20th anniversary memorial services unless he reveals information about Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks
Cyclists of bay2brooklyn gathered at the beginning of what will be a 36-day cross-country trip that will finish just before the 20th anniversary of 9/11
Chiefs Pfeifer and Schwartz, Commissioner Cassano and FBI Special Agent Combs came together for the first time during Fire-Rescue International 2021
Fire-Rescue International kicks off in Charlotte, N.C., with a powerful 9/11 memorial tribute, an “State of the IAFC” statement and more
“It is not a matter of if, but when,” victims’ advocate says while encouraging those affected to file
The sale of the coins are part of an effort to raise money for scholarships for the children of fallen firefighters
The nonprofit 9/11 Memorial & Museum reported losing nearly 90% of its operating revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic
Detailing how fire departments and fire service organizations will mark the most tragic day in fire service history and honor the 343
The ride, called Bay2Brooklyn, is “dedicated to public safety, all military branches, medical providers,” according to the group’s Facebook page
Calera Fire-Rescue members hope to bring the rescue unit, which is currently for sale on Facebook Marketplace, back to Oklahoma
Police said the suspect had failed to make court appearances after allegedly cutting down the flagpole at the Washingtonville memorial last year
A month after his son initiated CPR for his first SCA, Wayne Kewitsch suffered a second medical emergency while driving
Officials confirmed the live reading will be reinstated following disagreement over pandemic restrictions last year
Firefighter Joseph Ferrugia, 61, is the first active-duty FDNY firefighter to die from the virus
Retired FDNY Firefighter Frank Pizarro wanted to bring the tradition of carrying caskets on a memorial fire engine to Las Vegas
The CDC notified New York officials on Friday of the Trump administration’s plans to restore the $3.3 million
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Mayor Bill de Blasio that the city is responsible for reimbursing the funds the federal government wrongly removed from the FDNY’s World Trade Center Health Program
The Firefighter-EMT Michael J. Field Memorial Bridge on Long Island was dedicated in a ceremony on Saturday
Frank Siller, brother of Firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11, walked through Battery Tunnel with MTA and Port Authority personnel
The high school football players said they wanted to honor firefighters and police on the anniversary of 9/11 but had not received permission
The bill signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the 19th anniversary of the attacks also expands the scope of the 9/11 Worker Protection Task Force’s work
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