Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, more FDNY members have died from 9/11-related illnesses than on the day of the attacks.
Over 370 firefighters have now lost their lives due to illnesses caused by toxic exposure, surpassing the 343 who died on 9/11.
FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker highlighted the continuing toll on first responders, saying, “Those insurmountable losses did not end at the World Trade Center site. Instead, we have seen our members become sick because of time they spent working in the rescue and recovery.”
This year’s annual tally of FDNY deaths includes 28 members who died since the last 9/11 anniversary, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
The most recent firefighter to succumb to a 9/11-related illness was in his early 50s and had been active in the department just months prior. Lt.
Jim Brosi, president of the FDNY Uniformed Fire Officers Association, expressed the painful reality many first responders face, stating, “Just because you’re alive doesn’t mean you’re living, and these people are suffering every day, just trying to stay alive.”
In total, 377 FDNY members have now died from illnesses stemming from their exposure to toxins at Ground Zero.
These numbers also reflect a similar tragic pattern seen in the New York City Police Department (NYPD), where 377 officers have died from related diseases, compared to the 23 officers who perished on the day of the attack.
The toxic clouds that enveloped Lower Manhattan after the towers collapsed were filled with harmful substances, including asbestos, metals, and carcinogens.
Hundreds of thousands of people, including first responders and residents, were exposed to these dangerous materials in the days and months following the attacks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 400,000 people were exposed to these contaminants and faced the risk of injury and health complications.
As the death toll continues to rise, lawmakers are pushing for a permanent solution to ensure first responders and survivors get the care they need.
Congress passed a $676 million stopgap measure last year to cover a funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical services to those affected.
However, the program is expected to face another shortfall by 2028. Rep. Dan Goldman and other lawmakers are advocating for legislation that would permanently fund the program, stating, “This is our duty as Americans.”
While the nation reflects on the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11, the ongoing deaths from related illnesses serve as a sobering reminder of the long-lasting effects of that fateful day.