GROUND ZERO RESCUE AND RECOVERY WORKERS

Emblez Longoria

INTRODUCTION Now a senior security consultant for Verizon

Communications, Emblez Longoria volunteered as a rescue-and-recovery worker at Ground Zero after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. Emblez Longoria was one of more than 91,000 workers and volunteers who contributed to the rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts.

Many of these rescue-and-recovery workers still experience health problems, such as asthma from exposure to environmental hazards at Ground Zero.

GROUND ZERO Considerable research has focused on health impacts in

the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Legislation passed in 2010 and renewed in 2015 established the World Trade Center Health Program, which offers medical monitoring and treatment for responders.

Ground Zero rescue-and-recovery workers have an opportunity to share their stories and interact with other 9/11 responders as part of the Rescue and Recovery Workers Registry, administered by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Those who register also can get free admission to the museum.