The tragic events of September 11th, 2001 are beyond anything we have ever experienced in New York City, and indeed, in the United States of America. While we do our best to comfort and support those who need our assistance, we are still faced with the mystery of what lies ahead in the months and years to come.

Our many thanks are extended to the men and women of police and fire departments all over the country — and the world — who immediately responded to this national 911 with an unprecedented outpouring of concern and assistance. We will never be able to thank you enough.

Our gratitude is also extended to the thousands upon thousands of medical and construction professionals who were relentless in their efforts to assist the rescue and recovery of those lost during the nightmarish ordeal. The outpouring of love and generosity from all throughout the world had been a beacon of light during the very dark days.

An unprecedented number of police and fire line of duty deaths occurred on September 11, 2001. Our union lost two heroes: Det. Claude Richards of the Bomb Squad and Det. Joseph Vigiano of Emergency Services Unit Truck 2, Manhattan. The Sergeants Benevolent Association lost four members, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association experienced 17 line of duty deaths, and the Port Authority Police suffered 39 deaths of all ranks, plus the loss of a beloved canine. The unfathomable occurred for the Fire Department: 343 firefighters — from first year rookies to the First Deputy Commissioner — lost their lives on that fateful day.

Many people around the globe continue to contact us about making contributions to the various police and fire families who have suffered so much in this terrible attack, and we list herein the appropriate organizations and their not-for-profit Widows' and Children's Funds. They are as follows —

We thank everyone who has been so generous to the victims of this crisis.

The DEA has disbursed over 1.2 million dollars raised for relief efforts. Donations have been sent directly to the beneficiaries of the NYPD and Port Authority police officers killed in the line of duty. Contributions to firefighters families were disbursed through the UFA and the UFOA.

At the DEA we continue to address a multitude of issues confronting our union, including the health ramifications of work performed at Ground Zero, the morgue, the State Island Landfill, and other WTC related sites.

On January 5, 2006, Det. James Zadroga, who retired out of Manhattan South Homicide Task Force in 2004, passed away from complications of diseases contracted as a result of work performed during the rescue and recovery efforts on and after 9/11, including "black lung disease.

If you worked during the rescue and recovery efforts at any of the related WTC sites, please make sure you have considered all avenues relating to work performed on and after 9/11, including: the DEA Inner Imaging body scan offer; the Mt. Sinai Screening Program, the WTC Notice of Participation registration, the 9/11 mass tort lawsuit; the Red Cross 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program, the 911 Police Aid Foundation and make sure your beneficiary information is updated with your insurance carriers, with your union, and on your will. Check the Current Union News section of this Web site for more information on these programs.

DEA members, if you do not have a will, please contact DEA attorneys Karasyk & Moschella at (212) 233-3800; the DEA provides active and retired members with simple wills, living wills, and health care proxies free of charge.

For those members who may be activated for military duty because of counter-terrorism mobilization or other military service, MOS will be considered as being on active police duty, collecting full salary and full health benefits.

It is important for our country and especially for the City of New York that we remember what we originally set out to do on September 11, 2001 (which was a primary election day in New York): vote!

Help keep our democracy strong and vote in all union and public elections. We will keep you updated on our political endorsements on this Web site.