Number of deaths from 9/11-related illnesses among New York Police Department firefighters exceeds number of people killed in attacks

According to the New York Fire Department, the number of emergency responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses exceeds the number of firefighters who died on the day of the terrorist attacks.

The announcement was made earlier this month at a ceremony at the ministry’s headquarters in Brooklyn to commemorate the lives lost.

“As we remember the 343 members who died that day, we will be sobered by the knowledge that these insurmountable losses did not end at the World Trade Center site,” said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker. “Instead, we saw our members become ill as a result of the time they spent in rescue and recovery efforts.”

During the Sept. 4 memorial ceremony, the fire department added 32 more names to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall. In total, 363 members have now died from illnesses related to their work in rescue and recovery efforts. Twenty-eight of those deaths occurred in the past year, according to the New York City Fire Department’s Uniformed Firefighters Association.

“Our list of heroes grows longer every year,” said John Esposito, deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department. “In 2001, they knew they had a job to do, and they were selfless in their devotion. They thought nothing of themselves as they ran toward danger. They upheld the best traditions of this department – bravery, honor and devotion to service.”

Experts point out that cancer and other diseases appear at a much younger age and are often more aggressive in people from the 9/11 community. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other advocates are calling for more funding and support for 9/11 first responders through the WTC Health Program.

The WTC Health Program was created by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. In 2015, it was extended through 2090.

The program, which involves more than 132,000 volunteers and survivors, provides medical monitoring and treatment for 60 different types of cancer and other conditions, including a variety of respiratory diseases.

“We owe them something and we have to deliver,” Schumer said.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.