Frank Caminiti, was a detective with the Essex County [NJ] Sheriff’s Office K-9/Bomb Unit on September 11, 2001. His unit responded to the World Trade Center and spent two weeks on the pile, writes Ben Smart of WECT.
Now he suffers from a variety of ailments related to his time at the Trade Center, including enlarged kidneys, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinus polyps, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“After two weeks, I had enough. I couldn’t take it mentally or physically anymore,” said Caminiti. “I was spitting up what looked like plaster so it started to concern me. I had two young kids at the time.”
Caminiti now lives in North Carolina.
Kidney problems are not currently covered by the World Trade Center Health Program, although many recovery workers suffer from them.
For North Carolina law enforcement officers, the Wilmington 10-13 Club meets the third Tuesday of every month. Its members include some retired NYPD officers.
