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.
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
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
The health care fund aids first responders who rushed to the World Trade Center after the attacks and now have illnesses such as pulmonary disease and cancer
The video shows sons and daughters explaining what they have learned from their first-hand experience with terror
FDNY EMT Luis de Pena Jr. died in November of 2013 due to an illness related to his work on Ground Zero
Responders are asking for permanent extension of the act that covers medical expenses for those exposed to toxic substances at ground zero
The attempt of game developers to simulate an office worker鈥檚 experience on the 101st floor of the WTC North Tower is offensive
Developers say the controversial experience showing a World Trade Center worker鈥檚 perspective, called 鈥�08:46", is a 鈥渢ribute to the victims鈥�
Kevin Kelly, 55, struggled with PTSD and respiratory illnesses since his 9/11 response
The Zadroga Act expired Wednesday and the program will have to start shutting down by next summer
鈥業鈥檓 embarrassed that you, after serving so selflessly with such heroism have to come down here and convince people to do what鈥檚 right鈥�
View artistic tributes and 9/11 remembrances at EMS agencies, fire departments and police departments across the U.S.
Responders working for private ambulance crews or rescue squads can鈥檛 get benefit because they weren鈥檛 employed by the FDNY
A Florida man who posed online as an Australia resident tried to help plan the attack by providing details on how to build a bomb with a pressure cooker and rat poison
Carrying photos emblazoned with the names of their loved ones, victims鈥� relatives praised first responders, thanked the armed forces and hoped for peace and security
The most profound loss on that fateful day in 2001 was the loss of family
The federal 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund awarded $1.4B in compensations to date
Lawmakers called on Congress to prevent expiration of the James Zadroga Sept. 11 Health and Compensation Act, which is set to expire next year
Very few studies have been done specific to the EMS response to 9/11, and the results show EMS providers were exposed to the same hazards as other public safety personnel
The study also points to other chronic conditions like asthma, and comes as Congress debates extending the Zadroga Act, which funds health care for 9/11 responders
The official opening marked a symbolic return to some sense of normalcy for the site where the towers toppled
Inspired by his struggle with PTSD, it focuses on how EMTs cope with the job
White paint was used to deface the memorial to fallen first responders
The law, which funds treatment for workers sickened by the toxic fumes of Ground Zero, expires in 2016
Commissioner Daniel Nigro said their deaths are a painful reminder that 13 years later we continue to pay a terrible price for the department鈥檚 heroic efforts
The passengers and crew revolted against hijackers set on crashing into the White House or Capitol
The federal government can honor the responders killed on 9/11 by reauthorizing compensation for those who became ill after working at ground zero
Each time, he has tailored his message to the moment, at different points stressing themes of service, resilience, tolerance, reconciliation
The National Sept. 11 Memorial Museum was open for the first time on the anniversary
MOST POPULAR
- Fire and EMS agencies honor 9/11 with social media tributes
- 9/11 nonprofit plans name-reading at Ground Zero in lieu of official ceremony
- How 9/11 changed EMS and what the future holds
- An inside look at the new 9/11 exhibit at the New York City Fire Museum
- Trump administration reinstates head of 9/11 health program