During the morning on September 11, 2001, militant Al Qaeda terrorists highjacked three airplanes and crashed them into the twin towers in New York City, an open field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The coordinated terrorist attacks resulted in 2,996 deaths and more than 6,000 people injured along with massive destruction in the strike zones.

The 9/11 Employee Reflections Video Collection details the efforts and mission of ATF agents, investigators and forensics experts that were deployed to assist with the response as the horrific events were unfolding. Both ATF’s National Response Team and Forensic Labs were sent to support an interagency response that was spread over three large geographic areas.

When the call came in, first responders and law enforcement from all jurisdictions didn’t waiver as they rushed without hesitation to the scene to help those in need. They worked tirelessly, without concern for their own safety, to free survivors from the rubble, collect evidence and provide support during the ongoing investigation which lasted for 45 days after the attacks.

Many of the 9/11 first responders, including ATF employees, didn’t realize that their hard work and dedication also exposed them to the hazardous fumes at the crash sites which ultimately led to many of them being diagnosed with diseases related to their efforts at the disaster sites.

9/11 Employee Reflections Video Collection