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The New York City Fire Department announced two more of its members died this month due to illnesses caused by the time they spent at ground zero. Their deaths bring the total number of FDNY first responders killed by 9/11-related illness to 343, which is equal to the number of FDNY first responders who died the day of the attacks. According to an FDNY statement, EMT Hilda Vannata died of pancreatic cancer, and retired firefighter Robert Fulco passed away due to pulmonary fibrosis. Both deaths were the ‘result of time spent working in the rescue and recovery at the World Trade Center site,’ Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in the department's statement. Following the attacks, thousands of first responders spent months at ground zero, working on recovery operations that exposed them to dust that included hazardous and toxic chemicals. This exposure has been linked to a number of ailments, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. Per the FDNY, 11,000 current and former fire department employees are suffering from illnesses related to their time spent near the World Trade Center, including approx 3,500 who have cancer. ‘We have long known this day was coming, yet its reality is astounding just the same,’ said Kavanagh. She added, ‘343 of our heroes lost in one day, and today, 343 more. The FDNY will never forget them. This is our legacy. This is our promise.’ #fdny #firstresponders #september11 #newyorkcity #news