In this extensive report by Francesca Lyman, environment health professionals who were either directly involved in the rescue efforts of September 11, and experienced these powerful events firsthand, or are experts in the field of environmental health, occupational health, or disaster response tell their stories and suggest ways that the environmental health system can better be prepared to respond to large-scale disasters. The report is based on first hand interviews, highlighting responses by officials responsible for environmental health, occupational health and disaster response, as well as accounts in the press and public documents.