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.
In the aftermath, thousands of first responders converged on the sites of destruction, climbing through mountains of smoking debris and rubble in a race to find survivors. Ultimately, 8 EMS providers and 343 firefighters died that day and countless more have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses from their time working at Ground Zero.
Read the stories of survivors, as well as how lessons learned are impacting the way first responders of today train and respond to incidents. To share your 9/11 story, email editor@ems1.com.
The Beirut incident commander, Dr. Shawky Amine Eddine shares insights from the largest non-nuclear explosion in history
Retired FDNY Firefighter Lee Ielpi’s mission to collect and share WTC steel focuses on remembrance and education
Why technology is the key to avoiding the next 9/11 and MCI preparedness
From identifying your “why” to studying climb logistics, there are several factors to consider as you prepare to complete the climb in honor of fallen firefighters
Dr. Sabina Ostolski served for four years; Steven Thorsen served for 27 years
Samples from Nashville FFs helped researchers compare risks
Lt. John P. Raftery served in the department for 27 years
Alvin Suriel “saved an untold number of lives in his time as an EMT and paramedic, and through his inspirational leadership,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro
It’s critical for our relationships and emotional health to gather with friends, family and colleagues to share successes, challenges and losses
The Protecting America’s First Responders Act addresses general eligibility, 9/11 disability provisions, COVID-19 presumption and other benefits
Retired Capt. Mike Earley was given a year to live in May; five months later, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System has not approved his application
FirstNet, warning systems focus of House subcommittee update
Port Authority Officer Will Jimeno, who was trapped in the World Trade Center rubble, shares what he has learned from his recovery post-9/11
Joe Biden, plus former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, took part in today’s ceremony at Sept. 11 memorial plaza in New York
Through a series of portraits, Kate Bergen hopes to elevate the stories and recognition of the women who answered the call on that September day
The money would shore up the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, which was permanently extended, along with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
Podcast hosts Chris Cebollero, Marc Bashoor, Rob Lawrence and Jim Dudley address how 9/11 affected all facets of public safety
On the anniversary of the deadly attacks, I am embarrassed and apologetic that the number of EMS deaths doesn’t come to mind as quick as firefighters’ “343”
Have we taken the lessons learned from 9/11 and truly changed our practices?
We must not only “never forget” those who died, but also never forget to stay safe, plan for the worst and to make swift decisions despite challenging parameters
The World Trade Center Health Program report details the health impacts faced by the 15,000+ FDNY first responders who worked at Ground Zero
‘My job was to try as best I could to explain what was going on and put it in perspective’
Years of preplanning aided the incident command of an MCI, building fire, technical rescue, hazmat, and terrorism crime scene all in one
Readers share their photos of the World Trade Center steel in their communities
Officials confirmed the live reading will be reinstated following disagreement over pandemic restrictions last year
The CDC notified New York officials on Friday of the Trump administration’s plans to restore the $3.3 million
The two new ambulances will be put into service in Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas this month
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 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
The Treasury Department acknowledges defunding the program between August 2016 and May 2020 to cover “delinquent Medicare Secondary Payer debt” owed by various entities within NYC
A damaged FDNY ambulance displayed at the 9/11 Memorial Museum immortalizes the bravery and sacrifice of the EMS providers who responded to the attacks
We revisit a special episode in which our co-hosts discuss the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
While many events have moved to the virtual realm, COVID-19 has not stopped EMS from commemorating 9/11