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.
Seeing the brave first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, showed me what I wanted to be when I grew up
Show your gratitude to those who serve on the front lines of your community
Books about the catastrophic 9/11 attacks and the long return to normalcy are crucial to the historical record of those we lost and how we moved forward
306 active and retired FDNY members 鈥� including firefighters and EMS members 鈥� have died of 9/11-related illnesses
The former North Bergen and Jersey City Medical Center EMT was removed as a guest speaker from a Tenn. fundraiser following social media furor over his claims
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
Even as time and distance separate us from 9/11 and memories begin to fade, the NFFF remains committed to Never Forget fallen firefighters and their families
Cebollero, Dudley and Ludwig discuss honoring the legacy of 9/11
Dr. Sabina Ostolski served for four years; Steven Thorsen served for 27 years
The 鈥淯nmasking Our Heroes鈥� exhibit and video share the stress and community support FDNY EMS personnel experienced in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic
Samples from Nashville FFs helped researchers compare risks
Lt. John P. Raftery served in the department for 27 years
Alvin Suriel 鈥渟aved an untold number of lives in his time as an EMT and paramedic, and through his inspirational leadership,鈥� said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro
It鈥檚 critical for our relationships and emotional health to gather with friends, family and colleagues to share successes, challenges and losses
The Protecting America鈥檚 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鈥� 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鈥檚 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
Have we taken the lessons learned from 9/11 and truly changed our practices?
We must not only 鈥渘ever forget鈥� 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
鈥楳y job was to try as best I could to explain what was going on and put it in perspective鈥�
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
鈥淚t is not a matter of if, but when,鈥� victims鈥� advocate says while encouraging those affected to file
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鈥檚 plans to restore the $3.3 million
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