Fresh Kills Landfill 9/11 WTC Attack

MARCOR workers at Fresh Kills Landfill perform screening operations for forensic recovery following the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

Contracting Agencies/Customers

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• State Government of New York
• New York Police Department

Contract Value

• $11 Million

Related Services

• Disaster Recovery

The project involved the screening of building debris to retrieve forensic evidence relating to the Sept. 11th World Trade Center disaster. On September 17, MARCOR representatives met with federal and state officials at Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, where the building debris was sent by barge. Two days later, the full-scale recovery/cleanup work at the landfill was ongoing for 24 hours per day, seven days per week. MARCOR personnel worked closely with the NYC Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Central Intelligence Agency personnel.

The work was performed under stringent security protocols with respect to personnel and processes. OSHA and the EPA closely monitored the progress of the recovery efforts.

All personnel had to meet stringent training requirements, including asbestos awareness, blood-borne pathogens, and hazard communications; and they had to pass heavy equipment competency tests. We also provided Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for every possible hazardous chemical that could be present. Workers wore safety goggles; protective suits and gloves; hard hats; steel-toe boots; and respirators, as needed (determined by a third-party IH firm). Due to the psychological stress inherent with this gruesome work, psychological counseling was available to workers.

In all, MARCOR processed 1.8 million tons of debris during the performance of this project.

Notes: MARCOR was awarded the "Best of 2002" Award for outstanding work at Fresh Kills Landfill in support of the World Trade Center Recovery project. The award was presented by the McGraw-Hill Publishing Companies, "New York Construction News" on December 11, 2002 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on Broadway.

For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.