September 11 Attacks

About the Response

On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked two passenger planes and crashed them into the two towers of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City. These synchronized attacks were the largest act of terrorism ever committed on U.S. soil. The impacts, fires, and subsequent collapse of the towers killed and injured thousands of people.

Within minutes after the first plane crashed into the WTC, CDC initiated one of the largest public health responses in its history. CDC staff provided technical assistance on several key public health issues.

During the acute phase of the event, CDC personnel assisted with assessing hospital capacity; establishing injury and disease surveillance activities; deploying emergency coordinators/liaisons to facilitate inter-agency coordination with the affected jurisdictions; and arranging rapid delivery of emergency medical supplies, therapeutics, and personal protective equipment.