FDIC National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

On the morning of September 11th fire service members convene in high-rise buildings across the United States to climb 110 stories as a tribute to their fallen brothers. Some use air pack or carry hoses; many are in full turn-out gear; others are accompanied by rescue dogs. Each climber carries the photograph and biographical sketch of a firefighter who was lost on September 11, 2001.

Several climbs have been modified to enable civilians to participate, and are generally held in outdoor venues. For both types of event, the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb is not a race, but an opportunity to honor and remember the 343 FDNY members who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live.

The first stair climb held to support the mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was held on September 11, 2005. when five Colorado firefighters convened at a high-rise building in downtown Denver to climb 110 flights of stairs in memory of their FDNY brothers who were killed in the terrorist attacks of 9-11. The following year, tweleve firefighters participated, representing four fire departments from the metro Denver area. Each subsequent years, attendance grew, until it was capped at 343 participants in 2008.

Since its beginning, the Denver 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb has evolved into a much anticipated annual events, and generated interest from individuals across the country who hoped to adapt the format and host an event in their cities. In 2010, the original Denver team partnered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to create a template that would enable coordinator to successfully replicate a 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb anywhere in the United States.