Retired NYPD firefighter Bob Galione was working at Ground Zero when former President George Bush visited the rescue workers and promised to look after them.
Eight years and one new president later, Galione says he’s still waiting.
“Eight years ago … the president of the United States stood atop a pile of toxic rubble behind us and told us he can hear us, he told us people of this country can hear us, people of the world can hear us."
"It’s been eight years since then and to the people that are sick and dying it appears to us that nobody’s listening,” said Galione, who had to retire from Brooklyn’s Rescue 2 because of World Trade Center-related health problems.
Galione joined labor leaders and politicians Tuesday to call for the passage of a federal health bill that could help rescue workers get the help they need — the James Zadroga 9/11 health and Compensation Act.
“As we can see every day around Ground Zero, we are building this city. Now, we must rebuild the health of those who gave so much,” said Jack Ahern, President of the New York City Central Labor Council.
The act calls for medical monitoring, health evaluation, and ongoing medical care for Sept. 11-related health conditions for approximately 15,000 emergency responders and 15,000 additional members of the downtown community.
It would also reopen the Victim Compensation Fund for those who have been sickened by Trade Center Dust exposure, 10,000 of whom are currently suing the city.
Emergency Medical Technician Charles Giles called on the new administration to support the bill.
“I beg Barack Obama and this administration to please champion our cause [so that] first responders like myself and my other brothers and sisters that were here eight years ago this Friday can get the proper health care that we so rightfully deserve along with the dignity that we were denied,” said Giles, who suffered respiratory illness and walks with a cane as a result of the Trade Center dust.
Bill co-sponsor Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) pushed for passage of the bill, which is scheduled to come up in Congress at the end of the month.
“We must continue to build on that momentum to finally make the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act the law of the land, “ Nadler said.
