9/11 Responders Can Now Receive Federal Medal Of Valor

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — First responders who died of 9/11-related illnesses are eligible to receive a federal medal honoring their heroism under a new law.

The legislation, introduced last year by Queens Rep. Joe Crowley, makes police officers, firefighters and emergency service officers who succumbed to illnesses brought on by the attack's toxic debris eligible for the 9/11 Heros Medal of Valor.

President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Saturday, along with another bill that will allow the National EMS Memorial Foundation to erect a monument on federal land in the capital, according to the White House.

First responders continue to grapple with the health fallout of the worst terrorist attack in the nation's history.

In New York, the city recently offered unlimited sick time to about 2,000 municipal employees who were sickened after responding to the attack.

The move is retroactive to the day of the attack so emergency workers don't have to empty their bank of sick leave to access the unlimited benefit, which allows them to use sick time for other illnesses.

NYPD cops and FDNY firefighters involved in the Ground Zero rescue and recovery efforts already receive unlimited sick leave benefits, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office. The governor signed a bill last year expanding those benefits to additional public employees.

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