300 FDNY Firefighters Lost to 9/11-Related Illness

The number of FDNY firefighters who have died as a result of 9/11-related cancer or respiratory illness now exceeds 300, the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) announced recently.

Retired FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph McKie passed away in late September of colon cancer, which he developed as a result of his exposure to Ground Zero toxins in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11.

Chief McKie, a 31-year veteran of the FDNY, was 60 years old. His survivors include his wife, Eileen, and four children.

343 FDNY firefighters died responding to the attacks on September 11, 2001.

All of the 100,000 first responders and 400,000 other people who were working, living, and studying in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 have a higher incidence of 68 different types of cancer and many respiratory illnesses.

At the time, officials from the government claimed the air near Ground Zero was safe to breathe.

It wasn’t, and today 9/11 responders and survivors are at risk.

After years of advocacy by FDNY firefighters and the entire 9/11 community, Congress established the World Trade Center Health Program (WTC Health Program) and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). 

9/11 victims have access to free, comprehensive medical care for 9/11-related illnesses through the WTC Health Program.

The victim fund offers tax-free awards for pain and suffering, lost earnings, and benefits for surviving spouses and family members.

For the WTC Health Program, the exposure zone includes all of Manhattan below Houston Street and parts of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO in Brooklyn.

For the 9/11 VCF, the exposure zone includes the area of Manhattan south of Canal Street and west of Clinton Street.

Barasch & McGarry, Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, represents more than 30,000 members of the 9/11 community.

Visit 911victims.com or call 212-385-8000 today.