Local firefighters in race to the top

Four Katikati firefighters took part in the 10th Memorial Firefighter Stair Climb, and the fourth held at the Sky Tower in Auckland.

Ryan Hope, Justin Hunter, Hannah Weston and Gerry Carey climbed 60 flights of stairs wearing breathing apparatus to the top of the Sky Tower.

The event is held to honour the memory of the 59 firefighters who have lost their lives in New Zealand since 1872. September 11 was the date chosen in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in New York.

Firefighters from both countries come together and this year it was attended by New York Fire Department Chief Peter Hayden and Deputy Chief Jay Jonas, and Chief of Mission Susan Niblock.

Katikati firefighter Gerry Carey said they all carried a name tag of a fallen firefighter with them as they climbed the tower.

“It was my first time doing the climb and before we started I looked through the 343 names on a wall and came across FF Dennis Carey FDNY HazMat 1.

“I became emotional seeing his name because I have distant cousins in New York who are in the Fire Department and I couldn’t help wondering if we were related.”

Dennis was only 51 years old when he and 15 of his comrades from the same brigade lost their lives at the World Trade Centre.

“As our roads get busier and accidents increase please don’t let it be your accident we attend,” Carey said.

“Reduce your speed and remember please do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and don’t use your phone while driving.”