Title: 9/11 First Responders’ Deaths from Related Illnesses Reach 343, Matching Day of Attacks
Subtitle: Exposure to Toxic Pollutants at World Trade Center Linked to Rise in Diseases
Date: [Current Date]
[City], [State] – The number of first responders from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who have died from 9/11-related illnesses has reached 343, matching the number of lives lost on the day of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This somber milestone serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the long-lasting health consequences faced by individuals who were exposed to toxic pollutants in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.
According to a statement from the fire department on social media, two additional FDNY members died this September from 9/11-related illnesses. Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician, passed away on September 20 after battling cancer. Vannata, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City as a child, served as an EMT with Battalion 14-Lincoln Hospital for 26 years.
Retired firefighter Robert Fulco also lost his life to pulmonary fibrosis, a disease linked to exposure to toxic materials, on Saturday morning, making him the second member to die this week.
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We have long known this day was coming, yet its reality is astounding just the same.”
Kavanagh further emphasized the significant impact of the rescue operations at ground zero on the health of firefighters and first responders. In addition to the rise in the number of deaths, the fire department reported that 11,000 firefighters currently suffer from World Trade Center-related diseases, with 3,500 of them diagnosed with cancer. Exposure to toxic materials has been linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and other ailments.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by first responders, Kavanagh added, “343 of our heroes lost in one day, and today, 343 more. The FDNY will never forget them. This is our legacy. This is our promise.”
The aftermath of the 9/11 attacks has left long-lasting health effects on various groups of individuals, including workers in the World Trade Center who evacuated their workplaces, passersby, residents of surrounding buildings, and volunteers who spent time at ground zero in the weeks after. The World Trade Center Health Registry, which tracks the health of 9/11 first responders and other affected individuals, currently has over 71,000 people enrolled.
In the face of these ongoing health challenges, Fire Commissioner Kavanagh vowed to continue advocating for the survivors, stating, “We will not stop pushing until all our members have the care they deserve for the rest of their lives.”
As the number of diseases connected to the World Trade Center attacks continues to grow, it is evident that the impacts of that fateful day extend far beyond its initial destruction. The need for support, resources, and healthcare for those affected remains an urgent issue, reminding us of the ongoing legacy of 9/11 and the importance of fulfilling our promises to those who served and sacrificed.