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The federal government is providing the city with $90 million to track health problems among workers who aided the rescue and recovery efforts following the World Trade Center attack.
The grant by the Department of Health and Human Services will fund a five-year health screening program for the firefighters, paramedics and other workers who spent time at the trade center site, many of whom now suffer from respiratory problems, psychological stress and other illnesses.
“We’re going to learn a lot in the next five years, but as long as I’m around, as long as I have the honor of representing you in the Senate, this will be one of my highest priorities,” Senator Hillary Clinton said at Tuesday’s announcement.
Firefighters and EMS personnel will directly benefit from $25 million of the grant, officials said.
“Because of this grant, they will receive regular health exams in the years to come,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “That will allow us to monitor their conditions, take preventive action and treat them where necessary.”
Approximately 22,000 firefighters and civilians have already undergone initial exams showing persistent respiratory and psychological problems.
“It was tough on your breathing with all the ash. It kept getting in your lungs and you kept trying to rinse it out with water and stuff. It was tough,” said FDNY Lieutenant Frank Harnisher.
Now he's physically paying the price. Forced in and out of medical leave, Harnisher is on light duty.
“My pulmonary function rate dropped quite a bit right afterwards, and I’ve been having problems with asthma attacks and problems with my throat,” said Lt. Harnisher. “I have chronic sinusitis, I have nasal polyps and I have spots on my lungs."
While the grant is for five years, medical experts say the effects may last much longer than that. But they say this grant is a good start.
“Today, all they want is health care to heal their wounds, and medical monitoring to prevent the long-term consequences,” said FDNY Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant.
The monitoring, which will begin in a few months, will be conducted by five area medical schools including, Mount Sinai, NYU and Queens College.
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