FDNY Responders with paper masks
About
FDNY responders heroically responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) on 9/11/01 and worked 12-24 hour shifts, days in a row for a year. During the first three months after 9/11 they were forced to work at a site that continuously burned. Buildings, cars, airplanes and jet fuel, chemicals and human remains burned in a toxic soup. Pulverized glass, concrete, mercury, fluorescent lighting, computers, synthetic fabrics, plastics, metals, fiberglass and more infiltrated the air, offices and emergency stations and vehicles and were inhaled by responders. They were offered NO RESPIRATORY protection other than a dust mask typically used by carpenters if they were available.
In the days and weeks after 9/11 responders developed "The World Trade Center Cough," asthma and depression from working long hours at the site, sorting human remains, and remembering people jumping to their deaths from the two 110 story buildings and fall to the ground unrecognizable. They began to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse to cope with the pain, and developed illnesses such as sarcoidosis, asthma, depression, PTSD, interstitial lung disease, and cancers.
It became clear, the sudden wave of illnesses among responders was related to their exposures, and labor organizations demanded care for their members.
Slow in coming, Congress members decided to help us, and several of them wrote bills. The one bill that survived thus far was HR 6594 written by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of NYC (D-NYC).
Many wrote her letters, tried to meet with her and she refused. Her office advised our leaders that she did not wish to amend this bill and that our employer or former employer (the FDNY) performing research on us albeit against our will, would benefit the WTC program and she wrote her bill to that effect. She feels that the program using FDNY responders as guinea pigs will benefit mankind. We wrote her letters and asked her to amend the bill. Letters were sent to members of Congress and the Senate. Even to the AFL CIO and not even they took a stand to protect us from being forced into an employer based health care program unlike any other WTC responder, who truly has Freedom in healthcare. Congresswoman Maloney's bill takes away our freedom and we want it back.
Other responders can choose the participating center to provide their care. Even the NYC Police Department allows their workers choice.
We need you to call your Federal Congress person and ask them to support an amendment to HR 6594 to allow FDNY responders choice in care. Tell them you think Congresswoman Maloney is full of baloney, and FDNY responders should have freedom to choose who provides their WTC care like everyone else!