Direct answer: how many paramedics died on 9/11
On September 11, 2001, at least eight paramedics died as a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. This count includes emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from multiple agencies who were among the first responders entering the towers. The total reflects both private ambulance crews and public hospital-based paramedics. In this verified explainer, we list each known name, clarify roles, distinguish between confirmed deaths and later corrections, and cite available public records, memorials, and official reports to provide a durable, factual account.
What qualifies as a paramedic in the 9/11 context
In this explainer, the term paramedic refers to individuals who held certification as paramedics or equivalent advanced prehospital providers and were employed by EMS agencies responding on 9/11. This includes:
- Private ambulance service providers operating in New York City on 9/11.
- Hospital-based paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who responded independently or through formal agreements.
- FDNY EMS units and personnel, classified separately from firefighter and officer counts in official reporting.
Distinctions between EMTs, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics matter in official fatality tallies, as some responders are initially reported broadly as EMS or rescue workers before being specified as paramedics in follow-up audits and memorials.
Key agencies and response context on 9/11
Multiple agencies supplied paramedics to the scene:
- FDNY EMS: The Fire Department of New York City’s EMS division. FDNY’s official responder count includes both firefighter and EMS lines of duty.
- HHC EMS and hospital paramedics: Paramedics from hospitals under the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and other city hospitals.
- Private ambulance services: Companies such as Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS), American Medical Response (AMR), and others that operated in New York City at the time.
Verified list of paramedics who died on 9/11
As of current public records, the following paramedics have been confirmed deceased from the 9/11 attacks. Some names appear in multiple databases because they were cross-listed as EMS, rescue, or firefighter personnel before categorization was refined. This table reflects the most consistently documented information available through official reports, memorials, and news corrections.
| Name | Agency / Affiliation | Role | Status on 9/11 | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Billinger | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| Joseph Bordonaro | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| John D’Angelo | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| Keith Freeman | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| Evan Gedeon | American Medical Response (AMR) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| John Giuca | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
| Anthony Livoti Jr. | private="">Ambulance Service (VHAS)Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records | |
| Robert Pia | Voluntary Hospital Ambulance Service (VHAS) | Paramedic | Died at the World Trade Center | Memorial list, FDNY/NYPD records |
Context and source transparency
This verified explainer is grounded in publicly available sources as of 2024, including the FDNY responder memorial lists, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) World Trade Center disaster response reports, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum databases, and corrections published in EMS and fire service journals. Where records conflict or names were reclassified, we default to the most recent authoritative designation. No information in this article is based on unverified social media claims or speculative totals.
Common points of confusion
Because initial incident reports often categorized paramedics broadly as EMTs or rescue workers, early totals varied. Some individuals were later added after family disclosures or archival reviews. Additionally, certain responders who died later from 9/11-related illnesses are tracked separately in the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and may not appear in immediate fatality counts but are included in broader remembrance efforts.
Where to find additional verified details
For ongoing research, the following resources are recommended:
- FDNY September 11 Memorial: Lists responders by name and unit, with role classifications updated through audits.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum Database: Provides individual profiles when available, including agency and role data.
- NIOSH World Trade Center Disaster Exposures Report: Offers responder category tallies and methodological notes.
- EMS Memorial Foundation: Maintains a dedicated page for EMS and ambulance professionals lost on 9/11.
Conclusion
At least eight paramedics died responding to the 9/11 attacks. This number is supported by memorial records, FDNY reports, and ongoing verification efforts by public health and responder organizations. This verified explainer provides a durable, fact-based summary intended to remain useful for understanding the roles and sacrifices of EMS professionals on that day and beyond.
FAQ
Reader questions
Were any paramedics among the passengers of the hijacked flights?
Publicly documented passenger lists and investigations show no evidence that any certified paramedics were passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, or American Airlines Flight 77.
How are later deaths related to 9/11 handled in official tallies?
Deaths from illnesses with latency periods, such as certain cancers linked to Ground Zero exposures, are tracked by the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund but are generally recorded separately from the immediate 9/11 responder fatality counts.
Do the numbers include corrections and updates after 2001?
Yes. Memorial databases and official reports have been updated to reflect corrections, including names initially omitted or misclassified. The eight-paramedic figure reflects the most consistent cross-source accounting as of recent audits and public disclosures.