Unmasking the Grim Reality: FDNY First Responder Deaths from 9/11 Now Surpass Attacks
FDNY first responders lost their lives on 9/11, but now an equal number have succumbed to 9/11-related diseases The death toll of these brave heroes has reached 343, matching the tragic losses of that fateful day
The New York City Fire Department has announced that the number of first responders who have succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses has now reached 343. This figure is equivalent to the total number of lives lost on the tragic day of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a recent social media statement, the FDNY revealed that two more of their members passed away this September due to these illnesses, following the commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.
Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician for the fire department, died on September 20 from cancer, says the department.
Over two decades after the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center, two more victims of 9/11 have been identified.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
Two new 9/11 victims identified, the first identifications in two years
Vannata was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City as a child, according to her obituary.
According to the fire department, retired firefighter Robert Fulco passed away from pulmonary fibrosis on Saturday morning, making him the second member to lose their lives this week. He had joined the fire department in 1988 and served as an EMT with Battalion 14-Lincoln Hospital for 26 years, as stated in the obituary.
Hilda Vannata, an emergency medical technician for the fire department, died on September 20 from cancer, the department said.
FDNY
"We have long known this day was coming, yet its reality is astounding just the same," said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh in a statement.
"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," she said.
Fire Department, City of New York
Father and son 9/11 first responders die of cancer months apart
Kavanagh stated that not only has there been an increase in the casualties among firefighters and first responders at ground zero, but the number of diseases associated with the World Trade Center attacks is also on the rise. The fire department reports that 11,000 firefighters are afflicted with illnesses related to the World Trade Center, with 3,500 of them facing cancer. Exposure to hazardous substances in the aftermath of the tragedy has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as various other illnesses.
"So many of our members showed up for us that fateful day, and so many were lost. The legacy we create for them is one of honor, and one of promise," said Kavanagh.
Retired firefighter Robert Fulco, who responded to the September 11 terror attacks, died Saturday morning from pulmonary fibrosis.
FDNY
She stated their persistent advocacy for the survivors and their unwavering commitment to ensuring that all members receive the necessary care throughout their lifetimes.
Currently, the World Trade Center Health Registry has over 71,000 individuals registered, aiming to monitor the well-being of 9/11 first responders and others who were in close proximity to the attacks.
Besides first responders, the attacks have also had long-lasting health repercussions on individuals such as World Trade Center workers who evacuated their offices, passersby, occupants of nearby buildings, and volunteers who dedicated their time at ground zero in the weeks that followed.
