Recent Blog Posts

Nearly 18 years after 343 New York City firefighters died at the scene of the World Trade Center attacks, the death toll is still mounting for workers whose illnesses can be traced to the recovery and cleanup operation. During a 48-hour period in April, three retired FDNY members who served in the post 9/11 recovery […]

Instead of going to the UFA convention this week I am going back down to Washington D.C. to lobby for the extension and full funding of the VCF. I will go back again in a few weeks and then again in June when Jon Stewart testifies at the Judiciary Committee. I assure you that we […]

Retired FDNY Deputy Chief Rich Alles and Mike Barasch were interviewed on Q104.3 by Shelli Sonstein on Sunday. We discussed our efforts and strategy to extend the VCF. We are going back down to D.C. at the end of the month, and then again in June. We will continue these trips until Congress does the […]

With each passing year, we learn more about the terrible health toll suffered by the men and women who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. These World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers will be honored with a fitting monument at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The memorial, […]

Individuals who were exposed to dangerous toxins at or near the World Trade Center site on 9/11 or during the months that followed now face tougher standards if they seek benefits related to their obstructive sleep apnea. Previously, claimants were required to submit a “C-PAP compliance report” demonstrating consistent usage of a continuous positive airway […]

Twenty-nine schools were in the contamination zone of the 9/11 attack, according to the World Trade Center Health Program. However, students and teachers in these facilities are held to different standards for enrollment in the medical monitoring through the WTC Health Program as compared to first responders. As designated “survivors” under the James Zadroga Act, […]