9/11 illness deaths among first responders is now EQUAL to number of ... trends now
The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses has now equaled the firefighter death toll associated with the World Trade Center attack itself.
Retired firefighter Robert Fulco, who served in Engine 250 in Brooklyn, died from pulmonary fibrosis on Saturday.
The 73-year-old was the 343rd first responder to die from an illness linked to the terror attack, which is the same number that died on September 11, 2001.
His death comes after fellow New York City Fire Department (FDNY) member and emergency medical technician Hilda Vannata, 67, passed away on Wednesday following a cancer battle.
The pair suffered with illnesses due to the time they spent working on rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.
The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses has now equaled the firefighter death toll associated with the attack itself
New York City Fire Department (FDNY) member and emergency medical technician Hilda Vannata, 67, passed away on Wednesday following a 9/11-related cancer battle
Retired firefighter Robert Fulco, 73, who served in Engine 250 in Brooklyn, died of pulmonary fibrosis on Saturday. He was the 343rd first responder to die from an illness linked to the terror attack, which is the same number that died on September 11, 2001
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in a statement: 'Since marking the 22nd anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks earlier this month, we have experienced the loss of two more FDNY members due to World Trade Center illnesses, our 342 and 343 deaths.
'We have long known this day was coming, yet its reality is astounding just the same.
'We have now suffered the same number of deaths post September 11th as we experienced that day when the north and south towers fell.
'Our hearts break for the families of these members, and all who loved them.'
Fulco joined the FDNY in 1977 and worked to fight fires until he retired in August 2002, Uniformed Firefighters Association president Andrew Ansbro.
He relied on an oxygen tank for the last few years because it was determined that he was too old to receive a lung replacement.
Vannata, who was born in Puerto Rico, joined the FDNY's EMT squad in 1988 and served for 26 years at Battalion 14 – Lincoln Hospital.
She and her husband John Vannata, a retired New York City Police Department officer and military veteran, volunteered following the September 11 attacks.
'She embodied public service, honoring a family tradition of first responders, which she passed on to her son,' her obituary said.
