The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses is nearly equal to the firefighter death toll associated with the attack itself, it has been revealed.

The new count, raised to 341 this past week, comes close to 343 – the number of New York firefighters who died the day of the tragedy, when many selflessly rushed into the towers on September 11, 2001, before their collapse. 

Officially, the casualty count associated with the attacks is numbered at 2,996 – including 2,977 victims and 19 hijackers who committed suicide by crashing planes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and an unpopulated field in Pennsylvania.   

Thousands more were injured, and New York bore the brunt of the death toll – with an estimated 1,600 victims in the North Tower and another thousand in the South.

Still, long after the last embers were put out and the dust wrought by the disaster settled, the effects continue to be felt – with a still-rising death toll, cancer diagnoses and conditions that can be traced back to smoke that filled the city’s streets that day.

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The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses is nearly equal to the firefighter death toll associated with the attack itself, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association, confirmed in a statement over the weekend

The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses is nearly equal to the firefighter death toll associated with the attack itself, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association, confirmed in a statement over the weekend

The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses is nearly equal to the firefighter death toll associated with the attack itself, Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association, confirmed in a statement over the weekend

The new count, raised to 341 this past week, comes close to 343 - the number of New York firefighters who died the day of the tragedy, when many selflessly rushed to help others as heaps of toxic smoke filled the city's streets

The new count, raised to 341 this past week, comes close to 343 - the number of New York firefighters who died the day of the tragedy, when many selflessly rushed to help others as heaps of toxic smoke filled the city's streets

The new count, raised to 341 this past week, comes close to 343 – the number of New York firefighters who died the day of the tragedy, when many selflessly rushed to help others as heaps of toxic smoke filled the city’s streets

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The city’s fire department added 43 names to Ground Zero’s memorial on September 6 – citing long-term health effects related to the attack as the cause. 

‘For many, this day is 22 years in the past, but for NYC firefighters that are living with the illnesses and memories, it is always present,’ said Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association, at a news conference Friday. 

‘For the families that lost loved ones on 9/11, I hope they have found peace, [but] there are many families still suffering from 9/11.’

Flanked by several other uniformed fire officials days away from this year’s 9/11 anniversary, the union head added: ‘There are many caring for loved ones that are sick and dying from the toxins that they were exposed to.’   

‘For them, 9/11 is every day. For those who lost family members to the World Trade Center cancers and illnesses, 9/11 is not the day they lost their loved one, but is a day that caused their loved one’s death. 

‘And we grieve with time over their loss and their sacrifice.’

Earlier in the week, as respiratory disease and cancer cases continue to be linked to the toxic pollutants released on the streets of Manhattan that day, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh issued her own statement confirming the 43 new names.

‘As we approach the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, the FDNY continues to feel the impact of that day,’ wrote the FDNY boss, day before she and hundreds of first responders attended the annual ceremony in Lower Manhattan honoring their fallen comrades. 

the addition saw 43 new names added to the plaque - separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed immediately during the attacks

the addition saw 43 new names added to the plaque - separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed immediately during the attacks

the addition saw 43 new names added to the plaque – separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed immediately during the attacks

Twelve years ago, as the death toll from the attack continued to climb, the FDNY created its own memorial wall, exclusively commemorating firefighters, paramedics and other first-responders who've died from illnesses related to the rescue efforts

Twelve years ago, as the death toll from the attack continued to climb, the FDNY created its own memorial wall, exclusively commemorating firefighters, paramedics and other first-responders who've died from illnesses related to the rescue efforts

Twelve years ago, as the death toll from the attack continued to climb, the FDNY created its own memorial wall, exclusively commemorating firefighters, paramedics and other first-responders who’ve died from illnesses related to the rescue efforts

Dozens of first responders continue to succumb to certain cancers and respiratory ailments connected to their heroism on that day - with this addition the biggest since the plaque was created in 2012, then only with 55 names

Dozens of first responders continue to succumb to certain cancers and respiratory ailments connected to their heroism on that day - with this addition the biggest since the plaque was created in 2012, then only with 55 names

Dozens of first responders continue to succumb to certain cancers and respiratory ailments connected to their heroism on that day – with this addition the biggest since the plaque was created in 2012, then only with 55 names

‘Each year, this memorial wall grows as we honor of those who gave their lives in service of others,’ she continued, before commemorating the firefighters, paramedics, and civilian support staff members added to the Memorial Wall

‘These brave men and women showed up that day, and in the days and months following the attacks to participate in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site. We will never forget them.’

As previously mentioned, the addition saw 43 new names added to the plaque – separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed initially on the the day of the attacks.

In the decades since, more than 5,000 people in the area at the time have reportedly died from 9/11-related illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease – but have not been blessed with a spot on the monument.

Twelve years ago, as the death toll from the attack continued to climb, the FDNY created its own memorial wall, exclusively commemorating firefighters, paramedics and other first-responders who’ve died from illnesses related to the rescue efforts.

Upon its inception, the plaque, found at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan, began with 55 names, but has seen nearly 300 more etched in since.

The decision to reserve the plaque for first responders, made on the attack’s tenth anniversary, speaks to the health risks many of those heroic men and women have been subject to in the aftermath of event, during which many selflessly rushed to help others as toxic smoke filled the city’s streets.

The World Trade Center was an idea for decades that finally became a design of two 110-story towers in the 1960s. Built for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the 16-acre 'superblock' with its own zip code would have seven buildings

The World Trade Center was an idea for decades that finally became a design of two 110-story towers in the 1960s. Built for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the 16-acre 'superblock' with its own zip code would have seven buildings

The World Trade Center was an idea for decades that finally became a design of two 110-story towers in the 1960s. Built for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the 16-acre ‘superblock’ with its own zip code would have seven buildings

First responders work at ground zero after the September 11 attacks in New York. Twenty-two years later, Americans are looking back on the legacy of 9/11, gathering all over the country

First responders work at ground zero after the September 11 attacks in New York. Twenty-two years later, Americans are looking back on the legacy of 9/11, gathering all over the country

First responders work at ground zero after the September 11 attacks in New York. Twenty-two years later, Americans are looking back on the legacy of 9/11, gathering all over the country

A paramedic and a policemen breath oxygen after the South Tower of the WTC collapsed

A paramedic and a policemen breath oxygen after the South Tower of the WTC collapsed

A paramedic and a policemen breath oxygen after the South Tower of the WTC collapsed

Civilians were also forced to take cover from dangerous dust clouds spawned by the buildings' collapse

Civilians were also forced to take cover from dangerous dust clouds spawned by the buildings' collapse

Civilians were also forced to take cover from dangerous dust clouds spawned by the buildings’ collapse

At the time, most did not realize the dust they were breathing was likely toxic, leading to thousands of medical conditions and deaths in the decades since

At the time, most did not realize the dust they were breathing was likely toxic, leading to thousands of medical conditions and deaths in the decades since

At the time, most did not realize the dust they were breathing was likely toxic, leading to thousands of medical conditions and deaths in the decades since

In 2019, a study from the federal government found that 9/11 first responders have an elevated risk of cancers compared to the general population, including a 41 percent increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with leukemia

In 2019, a study from the federal government found that 9/11 first responders have an elevated risk of cancers compared to the general population, including a 41 percent increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with leukemia

In 2019, a study from the federal government found that 9/11 first responders have an elevated risk of cancers compared to the general population, including a 41 percent increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with leukemia

More than 20 years later, the federally funded World Trade Center Health Registry - as well as countless scientists - is still working to understand the lasting physical effects of the disaster, including first responders forced to brave the breathing hazards

More than 20 years later, the federally funded World Trade Center Health Registry - as well as countless scientists - is still working to understand the lasting physical effects of the disaster, including first responders forced to brave the breathing hazards

More than 20 years later, the federally funded World Trade Center Health Registry – as well as countless scientists – is still working to understand the lasting physical effects of the disaster, including first responders forced to brave the breathing hazards

More than 20 years later, the federally funded World Trade Center Health Registry – as well as countless scientists – is still working to understand the lasting physical affects of the disaster.

In 2019, a study from the federal government found that 9/11 first responders have an elevated risk of cancers compared to the general population, including a 41 percent increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with leukemia.

According to statistics arrived at by the WTC Health Registry, some 18,825 people that had been in the area at the time of the attacks have been diagnosed with cancer – with 1,650 dying from the disease.

That said, that sample set only comes from those who participated in the agency’s program – meaning the true number is likely much larger. 

According to the FDNY, 341 officials who heroically jumped into action that day have succumbed cancer and other afflictions like heart attack and stroke in the years since  – with the number inevitably set to continue to rise.

Every one of these victims leaves behind friends and family who have also become victims of that fateful day, including Jim Brosi, the president of the FDNY Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

His dad, Lt. Joseph Brosi of Engine 88, was one of the dozens of fire officials added to the memorial last week. He died in February after a long battle with lung cancer.

At Friday press conference, Jim, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter, said he’s worried about the unspecified number of people who are still sick.

‘In the early anniversaries that immediately followed 9/11, our primary focus was on the people we had lost because that was our greatest concern,’ Brosi said.

The first-responder plaque comes separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed initially on the the day of the attacks. Included in that count is the 343 New York firefighters who died that day

The first-responder plaque comes separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed initially on the the day of the attacks. Included in that count is the 343 New York firefighters who died that day

The first-responder plaque comes separate from the much larger memorial found at Ground Zero, which honors the 2,977 people killed initially on the the day of the attacks. Included in that count is the 343 New York firefighters who died that day 

‘And as the years passed, and as the latency period passed for those illnesses that will now affect us, our concern is shifted not only with the people we lost, but the people we’ve lost since, and the people that are now struggling.’

‘We are never going to be able to undo this exposure – But we do have the ability and the obligation to limit the effects of this for as long as humanly possible so that people can live fruitful lives.’

Ansbro further conceded that the rising death tolls associated with 9/11 exposure ‘are staggering.’

‘Three hundred forty-three times two is almost 700 people –that’s about 6-7% of the entire department at the time,’ Ansbro told members of the press upon adding the new group of names – the second-largest addition since the plaque was built.

‘Twenty-two years ago the loss of 343 firefighters was an unimaginable number and sadly the day we pass that milestone is quickly approaching,’

‘It’s important to let people know that their neighbor, maybe someone who’s suffering, for them it’s still on going.’

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