Mason Delacroix
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, including 343 firefighters from the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY). In the years since the attacks, hundreds of public safety personnel have died from occupational illnesses related to their rescue and recovery work. The toxic exposure to carcinogenic fumes and dust at Ground Zero has been linked to various health conditions, including respiratory diseases, cancers, heart disease, and mental health disorders. While the exact number of 9/11 firefighters who have died from alcohol-related causes is unknown, it is evident that the lingering health impacts of 9/11 have taken a significant toll on the survivors and first responders.
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What You'll Learn
Firefighter deaths on 9/11
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda militants crashed two US passenger jets into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The attacks killed 2,977 people and marked the largest loss of emergency personnel in US history.
Of those who died, 343 were firefighters from the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY). One New York Fire patrolman also lost his life. Many of the firefighters were killed when the towers collapsed, which unleashed a massive cloud of smoke, ash, and toxic particles that coated much of lower Manhattan.
The toxic dust exposure from the attacks has been linked to serious health issues, including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and various types of cancer. Since the attacks, more people have died from toxic exposure than in the attacks themselves. According to the World Trade Center Health Program, 4,343 survivors and first responders have died in the years following 9/11.
The FDNY reported that over 2,100 firefighters and EMS personnel have retired on disability with World Trade Center-related illnesses, mainly lung disease and cancer. Studies have shown that those exposed to World Trade Center dust were more likely to develop respiratory problems, sinus issues, and asthma. The FDNY also found that nearly 9,000 firefighters exposed to 9/11 dust may be at greater risk for cancer. As of 2023, an equal number of FDNY members have died from 9/11-related illnesses as were lost on the day of the attacks, with the total number of deaths from World Trade Center-related illnesses reaching 343.
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9/11-related illnesses
The 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 resulted in the largest loss of emergency personnel in US history. The attacks claimed the lives of 2,974 people, including 343 firefighters and one New York Fire patrolman. Since then, an equal number of firefighters have died from 9/11-related illnesses, bringing the total death toll to over 4,300.
The toxic cloud of dangerous particles inhaled by first responders at Ground Zero made their bodies more susceptible to respiratory diseases and cancers. To date, 1,469 first responders have died from 9/11-related airway and digestive disorders, while 1,366 have died from related cancers. The World Trade Center Health Program also recognizes certain mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and other types of cancers as being related to 9/11.
An FDNY study found that nearly 9,000 firefighters exposed to the toxic dust at Ground Zero may be at greater risk for cancer than those who were not exposed. The FDNY’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Prezant, reported that over 2,100 firefighters and EMS personnel have retired on disability with World Trade Center-related illnesses, mostly lung disease and cancer.
In addition to the physical health impacts, many first responders have struggled with mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Studies have shown that those exposed to the World Trade Center dust were more likely to develop respiratory problems and asthma. Furthermore, PTSD was a factor in both drug-related and alcohol-related hospitalizations from 2003 to 2010 for residents directly impacted by 9/11.
The long-term health effects of 9/11 continue to be monitored and treated through programs such as the WTCHP and the WTC Health Registry. The impact of 9/11 on the health of first responders and survivors cannot be overstated, and the number of deaths from 9/11-related illnesses is expected to rise in the coming years.
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PTSD and substance abuse
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, resulted in the deaths of 2,974 people, including 343 firefighters. Since then, hundreds of public safety personnel have died from occupational illnesses related to their rescue and recovery work at the World Trade Center. The toxic exposure from the attacks has claimed more lives than the attacks themselves.
The physical health consequences of 9/11 are well-documented, with respiratory diseases and cancer being the leading causes of death among first responders. However, the mental health impact of the tragedy is equally profound and long-lasting. Research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common health effect of 9/11, with approximately 20% of adults directly exposed to the WTC disaster developing PTSD symptoms. This rate is four times higher than that typically found in the general population.
The exact number of 9/11 firefighters who have died from alcohol-related causes is not publicly available. However, it is clear that the attacks have had a significant impact on the mental health and substance abuse rates of those exposed, including firefighters and other first responders. The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) has been tracking the health impacts on first responders, and as of 2015, 80,745 first responders were registered with the program for health monitoring, treatment, and support. The program has noted that emergency workers who arrived earliest at Ground Zero faced a higher risk of most 9/11-related health conditions, including PTSD and substance abuse.
While the physical toll of 9/11 on firefighters and first responders is undeniable, the mental toll, including the impact on substance abuse, cannot be overlooked. The ongoing health effects of 9/11 continue to be monitored and addressed, with various programs providing support and treatment to those affected.
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Cancer and respiratory diseases
The September 11 attacks in 2001 resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, including 343 firefighters. However, the impact of the tragedy extended beyond the immediate loss of lives, with many first responders developing various health issues in the years that followed. The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) has been tracking the health impacts, providing testing, treatment, and support to 9/11 responders and survivors.
Respiratory diseases and cancer have been the leading causes of death among first responders in the two decades since 9/11. The toxic cloud of particles and dust inhaled at Ground Zero made their bodies more susceptible to these illnesses. As of 2021, 1,469 WTCHP members have died from 9/11-related airway and digestive disorders, and 1,366 have died from related cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancer has been the most common type of cancer diagnosed, but other forms, such as mesothelioma, are also being observed. The latency period for mesothelioma can be up to 30 years, and experts anticipate an increase in cases among 9/11 first responders in the coming years.
The carcinogenic fumes and dust at Ground Zero have had devastating consequences for first responders. NYPD Detective James Zadroga was the first 9/11 responder whose death in 2006 was directly attributed to toxic Ground Zero substances. Other tragic cases include NYPD Officer Frank Macri, who died of lung cancer in 2007, and NYPD Captain Douglas Greenwood, who took his own life in 2017 after battling lung disease caused by exposure to deadly chemicals at Ground Zero.
The FDNY has also faced significant losses due to delayed illnesses. In addition to the 343 firefighters who perished on 9/11, another 254 FDNY members have died from 9/11-related diseases as of 2023. Out of approximately 15,200 FDNY members in the WTCHP, almost 75% have been diagnosed with a recognized illness, with GERD affecting nearly half of the firefighters. The WTCHP is monitoring dozens of cancer types impacting first responders, and the number of deaths from 9/11-related illnesses is expected to rise.
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Memorials for fallen firefighters
The FDNY Memorial Wall, located at FDNY Engine 10 Ladder 10, is dedicated to the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department and volunteer firefighter Glenn J. Winuk who lost their lives on 9/11. The memorial, which was unveiled in 2006, includes a sculpture and is located directly across from the World Trade Center site. Another permanent memorial to the 343 fallen firefighters is a room containing tiles with the names and images of each firefighter, as well as objects recovered from the World Trade Center site and photographs.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) also organises annual memorial events such as the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs to honour the 343 FDNY firefighters who died. Other events include the "Never Forget Walk" and the FDNY 343 Ride. A three-times larger-than-life statue, "To Lift a Nation," was also created by sculptor Stan Watts to honour the heroes of 9/11. The statue recreates the famous photo taken by Thomas E. Franklin, depicting three firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero.
The health impacts of 9/11 on firefighters and first responders have been significant, with many developing respiratory diseases, cancers, heart disease, and other illnesses due to toxic exposure at Ground Zero. As of 2023, the number of firefighters and first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses is equal to the number lost on the day of the attacks. This is a sobering reminder of the ongoing toll of the tragedy and the need for continued support and memorialisation.
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Frequently asked questions
343 firemen died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Since the attacks, an equal number of first responders have died from 9/11-related illnesses, bringing the total death toll to 686 as of 2023.
Although there is evidence of heightened incidences of binge drinking and alcohol dependence among 9/11 first responders, there is no exact figure for the number of firemen who have died from alcohol-related causes.
