The Freedom Tower

The Disaster News Network says “The New York State Department of Health is in the process of collecting information on all deaths to responders or volunteers who worked at the World Trade Center disaster site, pile, and surrounding areas, including the barges and landfills, between September 11, 2001 and June 30, 2002. Information is being collected on all deaths that occurred on or after September 12, 2001, regardless of how or why these deaths occurred.

A department spokeman says “We are seeking information on every WTC responder, including Firefighters, Police, EMS, Contractors, Demolition and Reconstruction workers, Volunteers, Media, and members of the Legislature. We are specifically interested in obtaining the following information: the worker’s name, date of birth, and date of death, including the cause of death. The information we collect will be used to improve the medical community’s understanding of these deaths. This may lead to improvements in the medical treatment of WTC responders who may be experiencing illnesses as a result of WTC exposure.

While we cannot go back and erase the stain left by the WTC disaster, we can look to the future and work towards developing an understanding of the possible impact of this and similar disasters on the health of workers and volunteers.”

How You Can Help
If you have any information on a death to a responder or volunteer, please contact us by email at WTCFatalityhealth@health.state.ny.us. Information can also be sent to the following address:

WTC Responder Fatality Investigations Program
NYS Department of Health
Flanigan Square, Rm. 230
547 River St.
Troy, NY 12180

You may also call 1-866-807-2130 or 518-402-7900 (for outside NYS).