MANHATTAN (WABC) -- Twenty-four years after the September 11 terror attacks, the FDNY has lost more than 400 members to World Trade Center illnesses, surpassing the 343 firefighters killed on that day.

Firefighters are describing the health situation as dire.

"After the building fell, we couldn't bring our rig up this far. So we walked in, pulled the water and came around from the side to get access," retired FDNY Keith McElwain said.

McElwain was filled with emotion as he remembered driving his fire truck from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan 24 years ago and seeing the devastation.

"That day I was breathing at that black hell hole air with no mask. It was just a horrible day. My eyes were cemented shut when I woke up the next morning," McElwain said.

He retired from the FDNY a short tim

See Full Page