MEMBERS TO HOLD MINUTE'S SILENCE IN RESPECT OF THE  9/11 FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS

The NZPFU has cancelled today’s strike. We ask all Members and Locals to formally hold a minute’s silence to honour the firefighters and other responders who paid the ultimate sacrifice as a result of the 9/11 attacks.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks.

A total of 2,977 victims are recorded as having died on the day or from injuries sustained in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on hijacked planes, not including the 19 hijackers.

We remember the bravery and heroics of all those who responded.

We honour the courage of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties at the site of the World Trade Center collapse.

We honour the service of more than 600 firefighters who survived the day, or gallantly responded in the aftermath, but have since succumbed to occupational illnesses including cancers through exposure to toxic dust and severe trauma at the site.

We acknowledge that the suffering continues, and the death toll will continue to rise, as approximately 4 out of 5 firefighters who survived the response have been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness, including cancers and mental health conditions.

For days after the collapse of the two towers, firefighters and other responders bravely reported to Ground Zero searching debris and dust, with 20 survivors—including several firefighters—rescued from the rubble. They then returned to recover anything that could be provided to a grieving community holding onto hope, desperately wanting any confirmation of the fate of their loved ones, no matter what that was. The underground fires burned for nearly 100 days. Responders’ round-the-clock work at the World Trade Center site continued for about 8 months, with the final structural steel column removed on 30 May 2002.

We send our sympathy, support, and solidarity to the IAFF, who have carried the weight of the loss of their members, colleagues, friends, and family from 9/11 through to today. The Union has ensured the rippling impact continues to be recognised with appropriate health studies, hard-fought health measures, and ongoing support for families in honouring the lives of their loved ones. It may be 25 years later, but the loss and tragedy of the day is still keenly felt, grieving has no timeline, and the work of the Union and its membership did not end with the deaths of their brave and heroic comrades. The Union has been at the forefront of not only ensuring the fallen are never forgotten, but also ensuring survivors have dedicated health monitoring programmes and access to treatment.

Auckland Local members will be part of a memorial ceremony today where the names of the fallen firefighters will be read out. They will have the opportunity to show their respect in the presence of visiting New York City Fire Department representatives.

The names of the firefighters who perished can be found at: Remembering Those Lost as a Result of the Terror Attacks of September 11, 2001 – National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

In the aftermath, the FDNY Bureau of Health Services began treating injured firefighters and responders on the day, and within four weeks had set up a World Trade Center Health Program in New York City. The FDNY World Trade Center Health Program has released a report, “Health Impacts on FDNY Rescue/Recovery Workers 25 years: 2001 to 2026”, which can be read here.

Sobering statistics in the report include:

• More than 600 FDNY members have died from a 9/11-related disease in addition to the 343 who perished on the day or as a direct result of their injuries.
• More than 12,000 members are certified for at least one World Trade Center-related physical or mental condition.
• Medical monitoring has led to early detection and higher survival rates, with 86% of World Trade Center patients in the programme alive 5 years post-diagnosis compared to 63% of the general New York population.
• Over 4,700 programme participants have been diagnosed with cancer—most commonly prostate, non-melanoma skin cancers, and haematologic cancers like leukaemia or lymphoma.
• About 20% still battle mental illness, including depression and PTSD.
• Emerging conditions include cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid autoimmune conditions, and cognitive issues.

For those who wish to include a prayer, the following is the traditional Firefighters’ Prayer:

When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child before it’s too late,
or save an older person from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert to hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me,
to guard my neighbour and protect his property.
And if according to your will I have to lose my life,
bless with your protecting hand my loving family from strife.

In unity,
Wattie Watson
NZPFU National Secretary