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.
From the FireRescue1 Team
Firsthand perspectives show how 9/11 continues to shape the fire service — and why these stories still matter
Deputy Chief Oren Bersagel-Briese explains how an informal Denver stair climb became a nationwide tradition
Maurizio Crescenzo remembers the firefighters who welcomed him and the community that rallied around them after 9/11
Twenty-five years later, empathy and teamwork say more than any ceremony
Lillian Bonsignore spent weeks working the pile; 25 years later, the area still triggers her brain to recall the smell “like it’s day one”
The familiar images tell only part of the story. These lesser-known accounts reveal how Sept. 11 continues to shape lives and public safety 25 years later.
Former FDNY Commissioner Sal Cassano recounts the sweeping changes in training, command, communications and accountability that followed 9/11
The lasting lessons of 9/11 call for resilient departments, adaptable leaders and the ability to maintain operations when critical systems fail
As firsthand witnesses grow fewer, the retired Shanksville fire chief considers what “Never Forget” means for those with no personal memory of 9/11
9/11 News
The campaign, “The Sacrifice Didn’t End on 9/11,” runs through Sept. 30 and coincides with the 25-year remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Shanksville firefighters who responded to the Flight 93 crash on 9/11 have spent the past 25 years opening their firehouse to the victims’ families and preserving a bond forged in tragedy
The FDNY added 36 names to its World Trade Center Memorial Wall, bringing to 438 the number of fire and EMS members honored after dying from illnesses linked to Ground Zero
FDNY researchers are seeking federal coverage for cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and other conditions as firefighters and EMS members exposed to Ground Zero toxins age
Six Ladder 6 firefighters survived the World Trade Center collapse while helping Josephine Harris down Stairwell B, and her family has returned a special FDNY jacket to preserve their shared story
Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the Ground Zero ceremony
Additional insights and news updates
After decades of work in the firefighter counseling space, Leto shares what he’s learned about resilience, relationships and the healing power of doing good
Chief Freddie LaFemina recalls the unimaginable scene at Ground Zero and the relentless work to find his brother firefighters
Shanksville Chief Terry Shaffer reflects on how his family is inextricably linked to the tragedy – and how they continue to honor the victims and the community
From 9/11 to major disasters across the country, Frank Leto shares what the fire service has learned about peer support, recovery and protecting firefighters for the long haul
Firefighter Rob Weisberg confronts the aftermath of 9/11, grappling with PTSD and the event’s ripple effects on his life and relationships
The son of FDNY firefighter Scott Davidson is urging Americans to honor those lost on 9/11 by helping the 9/11 Day nonprofit reach 1 million pledged good deeds by Sept. 11
A military judge scheduled Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three alleged accomplices to stand trial beginning June 5, 2028, more than 26 years after the Sept. 11 attacks
The Sept. 3 event will bring together clinicians, researchers, first responders and advocates to examine 25 years of 9/11-related healthcare and research
Americans are invited to honor fallen firefighters by climbing, sharing a tribute and challenging others
“Living On: The Michael Cammarata Story” traces the life of the youngest FDNY firefighter killed on Sept. 11, from the Little League World Series to the fire service
As the newly installed IAFC president, I suddenly faced a new fire service focus on terrorism and preparedness
How the NFFF sprang into action to serve New York City firefighters – and ultimately grew its mission
For the first time, anyone can join the tribute: climb near you from anywhere, share it, and challenge three others to do the same
Rear Admiral Lisa Delaney discusses eligibility, covered conditions and why some responders are only now seeking care
FDNY Assistant Commissioner for Communications Steve Gregory reflects on the unsung heroes of the 9/11 response:
“I don’t know what the next level beyond fantastic is”
“I don’t know what the next level beyond fantastic is”
The greatest tribute to those lost on 9/11 isn’t found only in ceremonies but rather in the values firefighters carry into every shift
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation CEO shares his memories from Sept. 11 and beyond, plus the ongoing support for families impacted by tragedy
Honor the sacrifices and the legacy left by 9/11 responders by marking the anniversary with community service, education and self-care
The history of the Zadroga Act — named in honor of NYPD Officer James Zadroga — spotlights the hard-won battle to secure care and reaffirms why the program must have the resources to fulfill its mission
What began as scribbled names on yellow legal pads ultimately became FDNY’s official missing and deceased list — the 343
First responders can be trusted voices, separating fact from fiction while keeping the focus on evidence and remembrance
The Somerset County event brought first responders together at Flight 93 National Memorial to mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is transporting a steel beam from the South Tower of the World Trade Center to communities across the United States
Go inside the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the 9/11 Museum Workshop
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on the HHS secretary to reappoint Dr. John Howard to lead the WTC Health Program
Firefighters around the world use tattoos to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice
City lawyers say no responsive records were found, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani promises to release Ground Zero air-quality documents before the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks
Joseph Downey, grandson of legendary FDNY Deputy Chief Raymond Downey, continues a family tradition of service more than two decades after 9/11
The 2,400-mile tour will carry a seven-foot tribute to first responders from New York to cities across the country ahead of America250 and the 9/11 25-year remembrance
The new World Trade Center Retired Responders Memorial Wall honors 154 retired FDNY members who assisted in rescue and recovery efforts after Sept. 11 and later died from WTC-related illnesses
City leaders are pushing for funding to determine when officials first knew Ground Zero air quality was dangerous and to release records tied to post-9/11 exposure risks
Organizers said that in recognition of the 25th memorial, they are aiming to make the 2026 event the largest and most attended in its history
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