Editorial: Are We
Abandoning Our Heroes?
Over 40,000 heroes labored at Ground Zero
seven years ago, working 10 to 12 hours a day looking for
bodies, extinguishing smoldering fires, and clearing tons of
rubble. This month, seven years later, at least 12,000 of these
heroic individuals are sick-- coughing, wheezing, suffering from
asthma, acid reflux, traumatic stress syndrome, and in many
cases, cancer.
The record shows at least 12,000 suffering from 9/11 related
health problems; however, the number is probably greater,
considering the number of off-the-record workers who showed up
on that fateful day and in the weeks thereafter. We know of a
number of Long Island, upstate New York, and New Jersey
firefighters and EMS workers who spontaneously responded to the
scene without registering at any command center. There were also
students from nearby colleges and universities who rushed to aid
the stricken city. We personally know of an Episcopalian priest
from Putnam County who spent several weeks working at Ground
Zero, administrating last rites and comforting the survivors.
These unsung, unrecorded heroes are also beginning to show signs
of illness.
Doctors are finding out that many of the heroes who worked at
Ground Zero are suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that scars
the tissues of the lungs; shortness of breath; chronic
sinusitis; and sleep apnea. Others suffer from post-traumatic
stress syndrome and nightmares.
Two years ago, the NYPD established a web site and a registry
for officers suffering the effects of working on “The Pile.” The
FDNY has already established such a registry. However, we feel a
lot more should be done.
First, we need to take the full measure of this growing epidemic
affecting sick heroes, official and unofficial. Next, we need to
come up with treatment programs so that all who responded on
9/11 have the quality of care already afforded New York
firefighters. Moreover, we need to establish monitoring systems
that can detect the emergence of new diseases, and a
clearinghouse that would inform workers and physicians about
illnesses and proper treatments.
We remember talking to an oncologist who was surprised to hear
that our 43-year-old son, a NYPD officer who worked at Ground
Zero on 9/11, had suffered from prostate cancer, among other
ailments. Moreover, the doctor wasn’t aware of the number of
other cancer patients associated with Ground Zero.
We need to admit that work on The Pile (and the Staten Island
landfill) after 9/11 did, in fact, result in illness and
fatalities, even though city officials keep insisting that there
is no scientific proof that anyone has died from illnesses
contracted at Ground Zero.
We need to urge the federal government to support long-term
monitoring and treatment of 9/11 and post-9/11 illnesses. More
importantly, we need to review disability and pension benefits
afforded to Ground Zero responders, including firefighters, EMS
workers, police officers, and civilians who answered an internal
call to serve their fellow man.
When it comes to our heroes, we need to do the right thing.