Retired FDNY Firefighter Talks 9/11 Attacks With Smithtown Students

SMITHTOWN, NY — Michael O'Connell, a retired FDNY firefighter who was at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, visited both Smithtown high schools to discuss his experience with students, the school district announced.

O'Connell visited Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West to share details of what happened that day. He also spoke about his work getting the Zadroga Act passed with actor, host, and activist, Jon Stewart.

O'Connell had been a member of the FDNY for only four months when the 911 attacks occurred. In 2007, he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis from his time working at Ground Zero. Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease that can cause tissue to swell painfully.

O'Connell spoke with high school juniors about his work to ensure that first responders and others now fighting illnesses because of time spent near Ground Zero get adequate health care and compensation.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act offers compensation to people who developed cancer or other serious health problems from 9/11, as well as family members of someone who died of an illness related to the terrorist attacks.