Steve Wallace is the Law Enforcement Outreach Coordinator for the World Trade Center Health Program at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. On 9/11, he was on the NYPD, serving as an instructor at the NYPD Police Academy. Off-duty that morning, Steve was giving breakfast to his 1 year old daughter and 3 year old son at his home in Rockland County when his sister called with news of a plane hitting The World Trade Center.
Wallace knew he had to get there to help. Rushing to drop off his children at his mother-in-law’s home, the call came on his radio for all off-duty NYC cops and firefighters to report to work. Bridges ,tunnels and highways to the city were closed as a precaution. The whole city was on lockdown. Wallace joined a long line of vehicles on the shoulder of The Major Deegan, noticing each driver holding up their official ID’s to get through. Making his way to the FDR Drive, Wallace was shocked by the sight near 34th Street. Stunned people were walking on the normally packed highway, looking like zombies, covered in dust.
That pulverized dust from the collapse of the twin towers is directly linked to causing at least 68 cancers and severe respiratory issues. More people have died of 9/11 illnesses than were killed on the day of the terror attacks. Steve Wallace has dedicated his life to find the 500,000 impacted, most unaware their health issues stem from 9/11, or that they are entitled to free health care for life in The World Trade Center Health Program, available in all 50 states. If certified with a 9/11 illness, they are likely entitled to an award from The Victim Compensation Fund.