The names of 24 FDNY firefighters killed by cancer linked to their work at Ground Zero on Sept. 11 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial next month.
They will be among the 112 firefighters honored Oct. 9 at the 35th annual memorial service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
"We found out last month that NIOSH had determined the firefighters' deaths were directly related to 9/11," explained NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki, adding that the plaque at the memorial will include their names.
NIOSH Researcher Dr. John Howard's research showed 40 responders' cancers were caused by the dust and toxins in the rubble, he said, adding that police officers also were among the victims.
If it's documented that the cancer was specifically caused by a firefighter's work, the families may be eligible for PSOB and other benefits.
Originally, the NFFF was planning to honor 88 firefighters including 79 who died in 2015.