Lethbridge Fire Fighter Kira Kinahan paid tribute to the first responders that were lost on 9-11 at the annual stair climb event. The event had participants run up 110-stories of stairs to simulate the action first responders did that day.
Lethbridge showed support to first responders around the world as it hosted the 30th annual 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 29.
The event was designed to commemorate the loss of the 343 firefighters and 70 law enforcement members who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
The tragic event took the world by shock and sparked a multitude of people to help out in any way they can. First responders from all around the United States made their way to the towers to help support and rescue people stuck inside the buildings. Firefighters powered up 110-stories of stairs in hopes of rescuing as many people as possible on that tragic day.
This event was experienced worldwide and the Lethbridge Fire Department now believes they have found the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to those who were lost.
For 18 years, the fire department has been asking Lethbridge locals to come and participate in the memorial stair climb.
Participants are faced with 10 laps up and down the Lethbridge Centre Tower. This is roughly equal to the 110-story climb first responders did on 9-11.
Jessica McIntyre, Lethbridge stair climb participant, has been partaking in the event for four years now and said it is really important for the community to recognize all the work first responders do for the community.
“I think it’s sometimes easy for first responders to get forgotten in our day-to-day lives so I think it is good to recognize all the things that happen for them and all the things that they do,” Mcintyre said.
Mcintyre added the event is something that really brings people together and gets people to interact with the rest of the community.
“An event like 9-11 is devastating for communities around the world, but it is also something that brings those communities together and shows how important teamwork really is,” she said.
The stair climb was host to 60 participants that were split into four heats. Heat one started off the climb at 11 a.m. with the first participant finishing 10 laps in just under 45 minutes.
Shawn Folk, a Lethbridge firefighter, participated in his third stair climb this year and said the event isn’t only about the first responders, but also the loved ones that are left behind.
“When first responders are going into harm’s way and everyone’s rushing out, who is holding the fort down at home? It’s our loved ones. The event is honouring the loved ones left behind,” Folk said.
He then went on to talk about how first responders have elevated to star status among communities. Folk said first responders didn’t just save lives on 9-11, as they also changed a lot of lives as well.
“9-11 changed more lives than it saved, in that kids growing up around the world saw the sacrifice and strength first responders put in on 9-11 and it sparked them to say, ‘I want to be a firefighter’ or ‘I want to be a police officer’ and it is showing a new age of first responders,” Folk said.
The Lethbridge Fire Department said the event was very successful this year and managed to raise over $1,400 to help support first responders and military personnel.
To learn more about the walk or how to donate, visit the Lethbridge memorial stair climb website at raceroster.com/Lethbridge9-11.
