Firefighters are describing the health situation as dire.
"After the building fell, we couldn't bring our rig up this far. So we walked in, pulled the water and came around from the side to get access," retired FDNY Keith McElwain said.
McElwain was filled with emotion as he remembered driving his fire truck from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan 24 years ago and seeing the devastation.
"That day I was breathing at that black hell hole air with no mask. It was just a horrible day. My eyes were cemented shut when I woke up the next morning," McElwain said.
He retired from the FDNY a short time later. But every year since then, he leads a march from Ladder 10 Engine 10 on Liberty Street, across the Brooklyn Bridge to his old firehouse.
Each flag represents a colleague lost from ladder 105.
In all, 343 firefighters died in 9/11 and a staggering 409 have died since then from 9/11 related illnesses.
"We still continue to lose about three members a month, and it's not slowing down. We have multiple members with long-term cancers, members in hospice, and it continues to take its toll," UFA President Andrew Ansbro said.
Deaths are mounting while the World Trade Center health program faces staff shortages and funding issues.
"It was never designed to match the escalating costs of health care. And so therefore, without refunding, it is going to fall short by the time we reach 2028; they will deny any new enrollees and then shortly after that, they'll have to ration care," UFOA President Lt. James Brosi said.
McElwain now lives in Florida with his wife, a long way from this hallowed ground and continues to think about those who continue to lose their lives, years after that horrific day and knows it could be him one day.
"I think I'm lucky to be here right now. I didn't think I'd make it this long. I'm still kicking and honoring their memory," McElwain said.
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