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- 9/11 Rescuers Need Rescuing
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- Dick Meister
A new AFL-CIO report shows that more than 13,000 of the heroic firefighters, police and others who were the first to rush to the scene of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center nine years ago are still being treated for the serious injuries and illnesses they suffered while helping others at Ground Zero.
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Piece Description
A new AFL-CIO report shows that more than 13,000 of the heroic firefighters, police and others who were the first to rush to the scene of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center nine years ago are still being treated for the serious injuries and illnesses they suffered while helping others at Ground Zero.
Transcript
A new AFL-CIO report shows the serious aftermaths of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. The report says that more than 13,000 of the truly heroic firefighters, police and others who were the first to rush to the scene are still being treated for the serious injuries that they received while helping others at Ground Zero. They were exposed to a highly toxic mix of chemicals, jet fuel, asbestos, lead, glass fragments and other debris. Their illnesses include a wide range of respiratory, intestinal and mental health problems.
Yes, even today, nine years later, more than 13,000 of the first responders are receiving treatment because of their attempts to help others escape. Nearly 53,000 other first responders are being monitored for signs of nine-eleven related illness. And yet another 71,000 are being watched because they were exposed to extremely...
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Intro and Outro
INTRO:Commentator Dick Meister says the heroes who rescued victims of the World Trade Center attacks now need rescuing themselves.
OUTRO:Dick Meister is a veteran labor and political journalist.
