Local firefighters seek volunteers for ‘stair climb’ on 20th anniversary of Sept. 11

Can you climb 110 flights for a good cause Saturday at the Bishop Fairgrounds?

Of the 2,977 people who died in the worst terror attacks on American soil on Sept. 11, 2001, 343 were firefighters.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of those attacks that forever changed the New York skyline and American hearts and to honor the sacrifice of so many, the Bishop Fire Department is inviting Eastern Sierra locals of all stripes and ages who want to participate with members of local volunteer firefighters in remembering the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day, climbing up to 110 flights of stairs at the Bishop Fairgrounds (the number of flights many climbed that day in the Twin Towers), with the proceeds going to the Fallen Firefighter Foundation (see below).

“The vivid images of towers collapsing continue to follow me 20 years later,” said Bishop Fire Chief Joe Dell. “The Bishop Fire Department has been climbing to pay tribute for the past three years and this year we would like to open our event to the community. We will not forget.”

The 9/11 ‘stair climb’ originated in Denver, where a group of firefighters climbed the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center, as a tribute to the fallen FDNY firefighters. The tradition has spread throughout the fire service as participants gather donations for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Many firefighters choose to do the climb in full turnout gear, as the FDNY firefighters did in the World Trade Center,

he said.

Proceeds from the event go to the Fallen Firefighter Foundation, which provides support and services for the families of fallen firefighters nation-wide.

A ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. with the climb to follow at 8:30 a.m. The firefighters hope to have 343 people participate in the climb. Each participant will be given the name of a fallen FDNY firefighter to carry with them as they ascend and descend the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs. Water will be provided.

Registration is $30 per person and includes a commemorative event T-shirt, which participants will be able to pick up at the fire department in October. Climbers need only climb as far as they can. All are invited.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE OR TO SIGN UP

• The event will begin with on-site registration at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, on the bleachers in the Mike Boothe Memorial Arena at the Tri-county Fairgrounds.

• The link to sign up for the Bishop 9/11 stair climb is https://nfff.akaraisin.com/ui/bishop. For more information visit firehero.org, call the Bishop Fire Department at 760-873-5485, or email kblumjustice@cityofbishop.com.

Photo Inyo Register Archives Local firefighters and members of the public trudge the bleachers at the Bishop Fairgrounds last year, imitating the 110 floors of steps in the Twin Towers in honor of the 343 firefighters who died following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Local fire departments are inviting the public to join them on the 20th anniversary of the attacks this Saturday, with all proceeds going to a fund for fallen firefighters.