The Midlothian Fire Department received a letter from Executive Director of The Port Authority of NY & NJ on August 31st, 2015.
For the past 14 years (since 9/11/2001), The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has remained committed to honoring the people who were lost on September 11th, including the first responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to face challenges from that day.
With the 14th Anniversary of September 11th approaching, you or your organization may be having memorial events in the coming days. These events present an opportunity to raise awareness about continuing health impacts to responders and survivors. The information below conveys the scale of the issue and comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s World Trade Center Health Program, which was established by the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:
- There are more than 71,000 responders and survivors receiving medical monitoring and/or medical treatment for their September 11th injuries. In the past year, more than 3,600 responders and survivors enrolled in the WTC Health Program.
- September 11th responders and survivors enrolled in the program are in EVERY STATE and in 429 of 435 Congressional Districts. Approximately 8,000 responders enrolled in the WTC Health Program reside outside of the NYC Metropolitan Area.
- More than 33,000 responders and survivors have at least (1) one injury or illness related to September 11th – more than 22,000 have two or more. More than 3,700 responders and survivors have cancer related to the events of September 11th.