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.
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
Patrick Gordiski recently retired from the Greenwich Fire Department
Union leaders said the COVID-19 crisis has driven 911 calls up by 40% while staff is decreasing as department members test positive
Retired FDNY Fire Marshal John Knox, 84, had been suffering from 9/11-related illness
FDNY Firefighter Daniel Foley had searched for the body of his brother, FDNY Firefighter Thomas Foley, for 11 days after the terrorist attacks
Retired FDNY Firefighters Paul Deo Jr. and Richard Jones both died on Friday, according to Commissioner Daniel Nigro
The foundation reported the deaths of two retired FDNY firefighters last week, raising the toll to 200
Susan Leonard-Lewis, 61, was arrested Sept. 11 for allegedly stealing more than $72,000 from the group’s 9/11 Memorial Fund
The Fire Pension Fund argued that Joe Daly’s cancers were caused by chronic alcohol drinking
A total of 21 legacy children of fallen first responders graduated from the academy
Patrick Mataraza, an FDNY lieutenant, president of PBFD and friend of the family, said the word resilient best described Richard “Ricky” Tanagretta
The seventh annual 9/11 Memorial Stair climb raised over $115,000, with all proceeds going to the NFFF
NYPD detective Joe Paolillo succumbed last week at age 55 to a rare form of cancer
Agencies around the country are honoring the 18th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks with remembrance posts
Family members and loved ones gathered to honor Firefighter Michael Haub, whose remains were recently identified by a medical examiner
John Shaw’s 78-second call with United Airlines Flight 93 passenger, Edward Felt, is part of a new book titled “The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11”
Doctors who study pulmonary fibrosis are just beginning to focus on 9/11 victims as the long-term effects of exposure are emerging
A significant portion of first responders had new onset cognitive impairment years after their first initial cognitive test
For people who donate $25 or more, Charity Share Times Square will place a photo of the donor with a sign reading “I Haven’t Forgotten” on the iconic Times Square billboard
President Gerard Fitzgerald and other union officials held a press conference to help make sure the city lives up to its promise to “Never Forget”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the legislation, which is meant to ensure future generations understand the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their place in history
Executive Director Ron Siarnicki reflects on the NFFF’s role to support the FDNY, and how tragedy ultimately expanded the Foundation’s mission
Some of our newest members had not yet been born when the fire service suffered its darkest day
The American flag, raised by NYC firefighters at Ground Zero shortly after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, was discovered years later in Washington state
More than 400 first responders climbed a total of 110 flights of stairs in honor those who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001
The study found that the risk was 44% greater among firefighters who arrived on the morning of 9/11 compared to those who arrived later
More than 200 FDNY members have died of 9/11-related illnesses since the 2001 terror attacks and cleanup efforts at Ground Zero
The pilgrimage has become an annual tradition for the current and retired FDNY members who comprised the group known as the Fire Riders
Firefighters around the world use tattoos to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Police received a criminal mischief report and found a vandalized 9/11 stone memorial covered with spray paint
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