DC 37 applauds release of first $75 million in federal money for treatment of 9/11 injured workers

Union let the fight after Bush threatened to recall the money.
DC 37 lost two EMTs who died from 9/11 lung disease;
other members are ill and need treatment.

District Council 37 AFSCME applauded today's release of a Centers for Disease Control plan to distribute $75 million for treatment of injured 9/11 rescue and recovery workers. The money is part of $125 million that DC 37 fought hard for in conjunction with elected officials.

The union's Safety and Health Department lobbied to have this vital funding restored after President Bush announced plans to recall the money. In July 2005, DC 37 bussed 45 rescue workers from its locals and other unions to Washington, DC, and met on the issue with Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) and Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY). The union also testified before a Congressional committee.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts said, "As a union, we led the fight for this money because it is our responsibility to make sure injured workers get proper care. The $75 million in funding will be needed in the period ahead as other workers become ill. We have already lost two of our members to 9/11-related lung disease - Tim Keller and Felix Hernandez, who were both Emergency Medical Technicians. Hundreds more DC 37 first responders are in the 9/11 medical monitoring program. The health effects of working at Ground Zero are only beginning to take their toll among emergency responders and recovery workers."

Keller and Hernandez were members of DC 37's Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Local 2507, which has a number of other members with similar health problems. Hundreds of other DC 37 first responders are registered with the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program.

"This money, and the rest of the $125 million - if not more - is needed for long-term care and follow-up screening for thousands of 9/11 emergency and recovery workers," said DC 37 Safety and Health Director Lee Clarke. "DC 37 pressed the federal government for this money because we need to be prepared to treat the late-emerging diseases that will begin to manifest themselves among these workers."

District Council 37 represents 121,000 city employees and 50,000 retirees.

Background: EMT Tim Keller, 41, died in June 2005 from complications of respiratory distress. He was one of the first emergency responders to arrive at Ground Zero and witnessed the collapse of the Twin Towers. In October 2005, EMT Felix Hernandez, 31, also succumbed to lung disease. He had responded to Ground Zero on 9/11 and returned to the site during ongoing recovery efforts.