The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 people, including 343 Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) firefighters and one New York Fire patrolman.
The incident marks the largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in history, according to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States.
The 343 FDNY firefighters killed in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers hailed from 75 firehouses across the city.
FDNY’s Chief of Department, Pete Ganci, was among the members killed, as was Chaplain Mychal Judge. Several other top commanders and chiefs from the FDNY were also killed in the collapse of the Twin Towers.
The 9/11 attack was such a monumental loss of life for the FDNY that it forged and strengthened a relationship with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which still supports the department’s members to this day. NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki details the Foundations early involvement in supporting FDNY in the days and weeks after 9/11 in “Rising from Ground Zero,” a digital edition focused on the New York City response and recovery efforts. Learn more about how the NFFF’s mission shifted post-9/11 and the ongoing support the foundation offers FDNY.
The New York Fire Patrolman killed on 9/11 was Keith Roma. While not an FDNY firefighter and therefore not included in the commonly referenced 343 figure, Roma was a firefighter, and some believe the 343 designation should be updated to 344 to honor Roma’s service.
Beyond fire service personnel, there were dozens of LODDs among other public safety agencies on 9/11. The Port Authority Police Department suffered 37 fatalities, the largest loss of life of any police force in history. The NYPD suffered 23 fatalities, the second-largest loss of life of any police force in history, exceeded only by the PAPD officers LODDs from 9/11.
Eight EMTs and paramedics were killed on 9/11.
Since September 11, 2001, hundreds of public safety personnel have died from occupational illness related to their rescue and recovery work.
“Never Forget” is a common phrase used to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people killed on September 11, 2001, including the 343 firefighters and other public safety personnel.
Memorial events are held every year to honor the fallen first responders, the most notable events likely being the NFFF-affiliated 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs to honor the 343 fallen FDNY firefighters. Learn more about the Stair Climb events here.
Others have launched events like the “Never Forget Walk” and the FDNY 343 Ride to honor their fallen brothers.
This article, originally published on September 14, 2021, has been updated.
