It’s been 13 years since 343 firefighters, 71 police officers, and 15 EMS providers made the ultimate sacrifice in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Many friends and folks who I am proud to call my colleagues are taking a moment to remember the incidents of that day. Some of us are sad; some of us are still angry. Time has not yet healed our wounds.
Over the years I’ve watched how first responders who survived the event, and tirelessly worked for weeks around the World Trade Center, have been treated for their injuries and illnesses related to that incident.
To say it hasn’t been pretty is an understatement.
As this article about a federal push to reauthorize the law that gives compensation to responders who became ill after working at ground zero indicates, to this day there is still debate about whether the high incidence of reported lung diseases, cancers, and other diseases related to toxic exposures are connected to the event of that day.
Yet more than 10,000 cops, firefighters and EMTs have gone on record as falling ill secondary to their work at the WTC. And although the numbers are not precise, about a thousand emergency workers have died in the last 13 years — many from cancer or respiratory-related ailments. It’s simply tragic.
Emergency responders work day in and day out, protecting and caring for those in their communities. Most do not ask for recognition for what they do; many are not comfortable with the label of “hero.” They simply do their jobs — mostly unglamorous, and sometimes at great risk to life.
Remember the numbers 343, 71, 15. Thirteen years ago today, they gave their all.
Congress, please respect their memories by caring for their colleagues who continue to experience the effects of that day. Don’t let us down.
