Citation

Smith EC, Burkle FM. Prehosp. Disaster Med. 2018; 33(4): 436-440.

Affiliation

3Harvard Humanitarian Initiative,Harvard Universityand Harvard T.C. Chan School of Public Health,Cambridge,MassachusettsUSA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1049023X1800064X

PMID

30129910

Abstract

In the years following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (9/11; New York USA), emergency first responders began experiencing a range of physical health and psychosocial impacts. Publications documenting these tended to focus on firefighters, while emerging reports are starting to focus on other first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and police. The objective of this research was to explore the long-term impact on another important group of 9/11 responders, the non-emergency recovery workers who responded to the World Trade Center (WTC) site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In the 16 years following 9/11, Ground Zero recovery workers have been plagued by a range of long-term physical impacts, including musculoskeletal injuries, repetitive motion injuries, gait deterioration, and respiratory disorders. Psychosocial issues include posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, insomnia, support system fatigue, and addictive and risk-taking behaviors. These findings go some way to filling the current gap in the understanding on the long-term impact of 9/11 and to provide an important testimony of the "forgotten responders" - the Ground Zero recovery workers. SmithEC BurkleFMJr. The forgotten responders: the ongoing impact of 9/11 on the Ground Zero recovery workers. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):436-440.

Language: en

Keywords

2001 terrorist attacks; 9/11 September 11; EMT emergency medical technician; FDNY Fire Department New York; GERD gastro-esophageal reflux disease; NYPD New York Police Department; WTC World Trade Center; 9/11; ground zero; long-term impact; recovery worker; terrorism