9/11 victims advocate meets with retired first responders in Tampa about compensation fund
TAMPA, Fla. - Even after nearly a quarter of a century, the fight to get victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks what they are owed is not over. Advocates said crucial funding for the victims' compensation fund is now in jeopardy.
Advocates made a visit to the Tampa Bay area to make sure first responders – and all victims – know what benefits they're eligible for.
READ: How 9/11 transformed air travel: TSA, security measures, and fees explained
Local perspective:
Richard Alles doesn't need a reminder to never forget the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, because he was there.
"We arrived on scene about 20 minutes after the second collapse," he said.
The former deputy chief for the New York City Fire Department said he spent weeks digging for survivors, but never found any. He then spent months recovering bodies to help bring closure to grieving families.
But what he didn't realize until it was too late, he also spent that time breathing in toxic fumes.
"Did I realize that the toxic brew was it was as toxic as it was? No," Alles said.
Since then, he has had two bouts with skin cancer and a bout with prostate cancer, which are the two most frequently seen types of cancer in those who worked at ground zero.
Some, like Venice resident William Phillips, a former officer and security guard, were sent back to work at the stock exchange, and told that the air was generally safe.
MORE: 9/11: The little-known story of how a small Canadian town took in thousands of stranded passengers
"I spent the next couple of years working in Lower Manhattan," said Phillips.
Big picture view:
The Sarasota County resident and prostate cancer survivor, was among the 150 retired first responders at a meeting on Hillsborough Avenue with Michael Barasch, a New York attorney who specializes in getting victims of 9/11 access to the survivor's compensation fund.
Barasch represents 40,000 people, including 3,500 Floridians.
"I say this about responders: They're great at taking care of other people, and they're terrible taking care of themselves," said Barasch. "I'm here to be a gentle reminder."
He's urging them to get frequent health screenings. He's also warning that a $3 billion health fund, a supplement to the original compensation fund, is in jeopardy after it was stripped from the end-of-year federal budget for review.
The original program has seen 95,000 claims result in $15 billion in payments.
"I just need more people to realize you're not taking money away from other people," said Barasch. "Take care of yourselves. Take care of your families."
The echoes of 9/11 are felt all the way in the Tampa Bay area, and among those who, nearly 25 years later, are still worried about their health.
"It's not a question of if [you're going to get sick], it's when you're going to get sick," said Alles.
What you can do:
For information on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, vost vcf.gov.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered through interviews with victims and a New York attorney.
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