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.
We should be out of excuses by now
A FF/paramedic captain recounts hunkering down with victims at the Pentagon on 9/11 while expecting another attack
EMS partners with healthcare coalitions in PPE supply, COVID-19 treatments and COVID-19 vaccination
New York and Ohio researchers are using dust collected within 72 hours of the collapse of the twin towers in their tests
Operation Gratitude volunteers spent two days at the D.C. Armory assembling packages for departments in cities directly impacted by 9/11
The nonprofit Tunnel to Towers Foundation plans to host the independent memorial after the National September 11 Memorial & Museum canceled its in-person name-reading ceremony
A letter to members stated that the department’s commitment to remembering the fallen must be balanced with health and safety
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced crews setting up the Tribute in Light will be supervised by health officials following a previous announcement that the tribute would be canceled due to COVID-19
Valley Stream Firefighter-EMT Mike Field, a past FDNY member and 9/11 responder, will be honored with a memorial bridge on Long Island
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation plans to host a 140-person, in-person reading near Ground Zero on Sept. 11
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation says it will hold an in-person, socially distanced event with families after the 9/11 Memorial and Museum switched to pre-recorded readings
One study led by Stony Brook University researchers found that the brain “age” of some World Trade Center responders is 10 years older on average than the general population
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced the names of five more first responders whose families will receive support
House adds COVID-19 infection presumption, extends benefit for 9/11-related injuries
The death of FDNY EMT Richard Seaberry, 63, is the 10th COVID-19 death to be announced within the department
FDNY EMTs John Redd, 63, and Idris Bey, 60, were department veterans and both worked on World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts after 9/11
FDNY EMT Gregory Hodge, 59, was a 24-year veteran of the department who assisted with World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts
Valley Stream Firefighter-EMT Mike Field, 59, died from COVID-19 complications after confirmed contact with an infected patient
Union leaders said the COVID-19 crisis has driven 911 calls up by 40% while staff is decreasing as department members test positive
In this episode, our co-hosts discuss a recent award nomination for the podcast and call out a Florida EMT for a job well done in supporting a bullied preschooler
Agencies around the country are honoring the 18th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks with remembrance posts
Honor the sacrifices and the legacy left by 9/11 responders by marking the anniversary with community service, education and self-care
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
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
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
More than 200 FDNY members have died of 9/11-related illnesses since the 2001 terror attacks and cleanup efforts at Ground Zero
Police received a criminal mischief report and found a vandalized 9/11 stone memorial covered with spray paint
DOJ officials said the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund will take steps to notify nearly 1,700 claimants of their unreduced payments by Sept. 11 of this year
