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 story of Billy Moon, a heroic fallen FDNY firefighter, and the people whose lives he has saved
The museum is honoring the anniversary of Sept. 11 with a new exhibit, “Recovery and Reflection, Celebrating the 9/11 Tribute”
9/11 survivor and volunteer firefighter Rob Weisberg is supporting first responders and veterans and their service animals
Detective Luis Alvarez was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, which he traced to the three months spent in the rubble of the World Trade Center’s twin towers after the 2001 terrorist attacks
Fund advocates say Sen. Mitch McConnell committed to scheduling a vote in August to renew the fund before it expires
The dedication of the monument was initially planned on Sept. 11, 2018, marking the 17th anniversary of the attacks, but organizers decided that more time was needed to complete the project
“It would also be helpful if the administration would kind of weigh in and I haven’t really seen any specific indication from them on where they stand,” IAFF President Harold Schaitberger said
Advocate and comedian slams lack of attendance at hearing on a bill that would ensure first responder benefits for 70 years
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The 9/11 Memorial Glade honors rescue and recovery workers who were sickened or died after responding to the Sept. 11 attacks
Dr. Michael Guttenberg and William Ryan passed away from 9/11-related illnesses
The workers, including paramedics and EMTs, have been granted unlimited sick leave as they fight the illnesses linked to their time at Ground Zero
Jon Stewart said it was “nonsense” that first responders and their families again have to “beg” Congress for money nearly 18 years after the attacks
With just $2.375 billion left to spend on 20,000 pending cases, compensation packages will have to be cut in half on all claims
A tribute to thousands of responders is taking shape in Vermont; it will be installed this spring at the national Sept. 11 memorial
Joseph Rodriguez, 59, died of lung cancer he contracted from the hours he spent assisting in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero
The law makes firefighters, cops and emergency service officers fatally sickened by the toxic debris pile eligible for the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor
FDNY EMT Felipe Torre , 54, succumbed to Ground Zero-related gall bladder cancer while under hospice care
A bipartisan group is asking their counterparts in Congress to permanently fund the program designed to help responders and other victims of the attacks
On the 17th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, agencies around the country are honoring the day with remembrance posts
Each year at ground zero, victims’ relatives infuse the ceremony with personal messages of remembrance, inspiration and concern
The federal government has hired Optum to operate a new clinic in Manhattan for survivors of the 9/11 attacks who have enrolled in an ongoing health program
FDNY EMT Jennifer Dougherty said she is shocked by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s efforts to block extended sick time for 9/11 responders
“I am glad that the committee heard this community’s concerns and acted to keep the World Trade Center Health Program working as is,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney said
Joe Cruz, who retired after 25 years of service, received the medal in the mail after it had been sitting in a drawer ever since the attacks
Sen. Terrence Murphy said the bill is meant to help responders who were sickened by their efforts at Ground Zero get the help they need
The 5K will benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which remembers those who lost their lives during the attacks and helps first responders
The comedian joined advocates opposing a proposal they said could threaten health care treatment for 9/11 first responders
Lawmakers say the impact would be dreadful for the more than 83,000 responders and survivors who rely on the WTC Health Program
FDNY EMT Salvatore Turturici was gifted the wheelchair by the Ray Pfeifer Foundation, which specializes in helping sickened first responders
Dr. Michael Guttenberg developed pancreatic cancer after helping with clean-up efforts at Ground Zero
The pension board told Michael Abramowitz that his asthma developed after Ground Zero cleanup was mainly caused by his weight
Record-setting number of climbers raises $110,000 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at 2017 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Green Bay
The responders will now be eligible for unlimited paid sick leave with full salary coverage