Twenty-three years after Sept. 11, 2001, illnesses linked to the World Trade Center terrorist attack have now killed more members of the New York City Fire Department than were killed on 9/11 itself.
On the day the Twin Towers fell, 343 members of the FDNY were killed, according to officials.
In the 23 years since, more than 360 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center-related illnesses, the department said. Twenty-eight of those FDNY deaths were over the last year, according to the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association.
Rescue 1, Manhattan’s elite lifesaving unit, which was one of the first firefighting squads to reach the twin towers after last week’s terrorist attack lost all of its members at the World Trade Center, New York City, Sep. 12, 2001.
Todd Maisel/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
“Those insurmountable losses did not end at the World Trade Center site,” New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said. “Instead, we have seen our members become sick because of time they spent working in the rescue and recovery.”
A woman holds a photograph of FDNY firefighter Walter Voight before she lays a flower in his honor next to a plaque in honor of FDNY firefighters who have died from illness related to working at Ground Zero in New York City, Sep. 8, 2011.
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Of the 2,753 people killed at the World Trade Center, about 40% — 1,103 people — remain formally unidentified. There has not been a new identification of remains since January.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s annual commemoration ceremony will take place on Wednesday, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.
A woman touches a name on a plaque in honor of FDNY firefighters who have died from illness related to working at Ground Zero in New York City, Sep. 8, 2011.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In the years following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the brave men and women of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) have faced a new and insidious threat: World Trade Center illnesses. These illnesses, which are directly linked to the toxic dust and debris that filled the air in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, have taken a devastating toll on FDNY members, with more succumbing to these illnesses than were killed on that fateful day.
According to recent reports, over 200 FDNY members have died from World Trade Center-related illnesses since 9/11. This number is staggering when compared to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on that tragic day. The toll continues to rise, with many more firefighters and first responders battling serious health issues as a result of their exposure to the toxic substances at Ground Zero.
The most common World Trade Center-related illnesses among FDNY members include respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Many firefighters have also been diagnosed with various forms of cancer, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. These illnesses have had a profound impact on the lives of these brave men and women, causing them to suffer physically, emotionally, and financially.
Despite the overwhelming evidence linking these illnesses to the events of 9/11, many FDNY members have faced challenges in receiving proper medical care and compensation for their conditions. The federal government has been slow to acknowledge the full extent of the health crisis facing first responders, leading to delays in funding for treatment and support services.
In response to these challenges, advocacy groups and lawmakers have been working tirelessly to ensure that FDNY members receive the care and support they deserve. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after a first responder who died from a World Trade Center-related illness, was passed in 2010 to provide healthcare and financial assistance to those affected by 9/11-related illnesses. The act was reauthorized in 2015 and again in 2019, ensuring that funding for treatment and support services will continue for years to come.
As we reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, it is important to remember the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the FDNY. Their heroism and selflessness on that day will never be forgotten. It is our duty as a society to ensure that they receive the care and support they need as they continue to battle the lasting effects of their service at Ground Zero.
