DSNY Remembers: Digital Exhibit

By: Maggie Lee

As the 20th anniversary of September 11th approaches, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and salute the men and women of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), whose contributions to the rescue and recovery effort have too often gone unnoticed. In order to tell this story, today we are proud to launch the digital exhibit DSNY Remembers. 

This exhibit explores the incredible— and largely unknown— story of the vital role that DSNY played in the rescue and recovery efforts following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Using personal interviews, never-before-seen-archival footage, data visualizations, and resources for further learning, this exhibit illustrates how

• DSNY led the debris removal efforts to facilitate the rescue work of FDNY and NYPD, 

• Hosted the forensics and screening operation at the former Fresh Kills Landfill, and

• Cleaned and provided dust suppression for all of lower Manhattan, allowing the City to eventually re-open. 

Throughout the entire recovery process in Manhattan and Staten Island, some 3,700 DSNY employees were involved in some capacity in this extraordinary effort to restore and re-open New York City. But in reality, every man and woman in the Department—who continued to provide cleaning and collection services for the entire city, uninterrupted—helped to demonstrate that our great city was unbroken. We salute them all and recognize their great service.

While DSNY did not lose anyone on September 11 or throughout the recovery effort, at least 96 members of the DSNY community have, to date, been lost to 9/11-related illnesses. We remember them, and acknowledge their sacrifice. To those that continue to struggle with 9/11-related illness, you are in our thoughts.

Learn more about DSNY’s crucial role in the response to 9/11 by exploring http://www.dsnyremembers.org.