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.
Thousands of first responders answered the call that day to search for survivors amid the rubble, smoke and debris, with 343 firefighters ultimately perishing in the collapse of the Twin Towers and countless more succumbing to 9/11-related illnesses from working at Ground Zero.
Use this resource page to learn about developments in healthcare protections for 9/11 first responders, read the experiences of those who were there and stay current on counter-terrorism priorities for law enforcement.
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito recounts FDNY’s devastating losses, the decisions that saved thousands of lives and why honoring 9/11 means preparing the next generation to meet the moment
- Unions: NYC hasn’t paid 9/11 first responder widows, families from healthcare fund in nearly a year
- The ‘anniversary effect’: Processing the pain year after year
- Surviving in stairwell B: A Port Authority officer’s story of survival after steel, concrete came crashing down on him during the World Trade Center’s North Tower collapse
- N.J. officer dies from cancer after working at ground zero
- From New York to Los Angeles: A fallen 9/11 officer’s legacy lives on