Fire Critic An Unadulterated View of the Fire Service
This September, there will be 27 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events held across the Nation (a couple of these are scheduled for October). Additionally, several climbs have already occurred (FDIC, Pierce 100th, Firehouse Expo, and FRI).
As of right now, I do not have plans to climb in any of the remaining climbs (due to a packed schedule). I did climb at FDIC and Firehouse Expo, and I registered to climb at FRI even though I wasn’t attending.
I WILL be registering to climb for the Kalamazoo 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 11th at Wings Stadium. I will have one of my KZOO FOOLS Brothers carry the name of one of our Fallen Brothers for me.
This past year at FDIC, I met a bunch of the KZOO FOOLS. What a great bunch of guys. We had a blast at our meetup at Hard Rock. Those bonds that Captain Wines and I make when we travel are awesome. We get to follow along and watch what our Brothers are doing, hear back from them, and create friendships that will last forever. One of these days, we will make it to Kalamazoo…wherever that Country is and visit them. JUST KIDDING.
Seriously guys…The Charlotte Stair Climb sold out in 30 minutes. There better be 343 of us on the stairs on September 11th and at every other climb this year!
If you are in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area you better be climbing. If you are on duty, go ahead and register anyways. Respect, Honor, Pride, Tradition…Brotherhood.
KZOO FOOLS on FB – KZOO FOOLS Online – Register to Climb
There are three questions I often wonder if firefighters think about in relation to the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs.
They are…
Will you climb?
Some of us have climbed before. Some of us have not. Some have climbed multiple times and keep coming back for more. Captain Wines and I once told each other we wouldn’t climb anymore (after 4-5 climbs). We decided we would continue to serve the purpose by supporting the events. We were lying to each other. We both climbed again. Then I climbed one or two more times. I have climbed 7 or 8 times and registered to climb another half dozen more (I didn’t climb in these because I couldn’t due to other responsibilities or I was not in attendance). I have always climbed for two reasons…keep reading.
Can you climb?
If you are an active duty firefighter, the answer better be yes. I hear of firefighters training for this event. In all actuality, they are simply training to be firefighters. Climbing 110 stories might not be realistic in your area, but he effort put forth to do so is less than what you might be exerting in a fire that is in even a mid-rise building. Either way, you should already be in shape enough to climb.
Physically, the climb is a reminder that I am either in shape or out of shape…but I have completed every climb, making sure to hit EVERY step on the way up.
It is a gut check. You don’t have to do it in full turnout gear. Do it how you would like. There are no egos, no times, no competition in the climb. It is a one on one with you and yourself. This physical test is the first reason why I climb. The other…
Will you Never Forget?
The monetary reason behind climbing is funding the FDNY Counseling Unit. The emotional reason to climb is for our 343 Brothers who died on September 11th, and those who continue to die due to helping out in the weeks and months after the attacks. Funding the Counseling Unit is an excellent caveat to my more selfish reasons for climbing. I enjoy the climb being quiet. I get to reflect on why I am there climbing. While I cannot imagine the thoughts that went through our Fallen Brothers minds while they were climbing on September 11th, I get to think about it. This is the second reason why I climb.
September 11th is right around the corner.
You can find a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb by visiting this link. I have listed all of the climbs below as well.
Alabama
Alabama’s Promise…We Will Never Forget
September 15, 2013
RSA Tower
201 Monroe Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Florence Professional Firefighters 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 14, 2013
Marriot Shoals Hotel and Spa Renaissance Tower
1 Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630
E-mail: Dustin.simmons23@yahoo.com
Alaska
Juneau 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
709 W Ninth Street
Juneau, AK 99801
E-mail: john_krebsbach@ci.juneau.ak.us
Arizona
Tucson 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 15, 2013
5151 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85711
E-mail: climb4thefallen@gmail.com
California
San Diego 9-11 Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
Hilton Bayfront San Diego
1 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Website: sdfra.org/stairclimb2.html
E-mail: rbunsold@sdfra.org
Colorado
Colorado 9-11 Stair Climb
September 11, 2013
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
18300 W Alameda Pkwy
Morrison, CO 80465
Website: www.911stairclimb.com
E-mail: info@911stairclimb.com
Denver 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 11, 2013
Qwest Tower
1801 California Street
Denver, CO 80202
Website: www.denverstairclimb.com
Florida
Panama City Beach
9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
Laketown Wharf Condos
17121 Panama City Beach Parkway
Panama City Beach, FL
E-mail: tparris@pcbfire.com
SW Florida 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 14, 2013
High Point Place
2104 W First Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
E-mail: djacobs@cityftmyers.com
Louisiana
Lafayette Professional Firefighters
9-11 Memorial Statir Climb
September 7, 2013
Chase Tower LLC
600 Jefferson St., Suite 500
Lafayette, LA 70501
E-mail: opfirefighters@yahoo.com
Maryland
Prince George’s County, Md.
9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Ctr.
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
E-mail: bhinton@firehero.org
Ocean City 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
October 26, 2013
Pyramid Condominium
9500 Coastal Highway – OceanFront
Ocean City, MD 21842
E-mail: rchilders@salisburyfd.com
Michigan
Grand Rapids 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 14, 2013
Fifth Third Ballpark
4500 West River Drive NE
Plainfield Township, MI 49321
E-mail: lance@optixinternational.com
Kalamazoo 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 11, 2013
Wings Stadium
3600 Vanrick Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
E-mail: kalamazoostairclimb@outlook.com
Missouri
Clayton 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
Pierre Laclede Tower II
7733 Forsyth Blvd.
Clayton, MO 63105
2 Climbs! 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
E-mail: Jhildebrandt@claytonmo.gov
Springfield Area Memorial Stair Climb
July 27, 2013
Hammons Field
955 E Trafficway
Springfield, MO 65802
E-mail: aneff@nixafire.org
New Hampshire
New Hampshire 9-11 Stair Climb
October 6, 2013
Brady Sullivan Plaza
1000 Elm Street Manchester, NH 3101
E-mail: bill@nh9-11stairclimb.org
Website: nh9-11stairclimb.org
New Jersey
City of Bridgeton 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb 2013
September 11, 2013
Bridgeton Housing Authority
110 E. Commerce Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
E-mail: bragoa@cityofbridgeton.com
New York
Binghamton 9-11 Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
Binghamton State Office Building
44 Hawley Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
E-mail: cmmallery1@verizon.net
North Carolina
Charlotte Firefighters Association
9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
Duke Energy Center
550 South Tryon
Charlotte, NC 28202
E-mail: cffasecretary@cffa660.org
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City 9-11 Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
First National Center
2117 Gebron Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73101
E-mail: coordinator@okcstairclimb.com
Pennsylvania
Lancaster 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
Clipper Magazine Stadium
650 N. Prince Street
Lancaster, PA 17520 E-mail:syuill@comcast.net
South Dakota
Black Hills 9-11 Hill Climb
October 13, 2013
Hanson Larsen Memorial Park
Cowboy Hill Road
Rapid City, SD 57701
E-mail: tstadel7@gmail.com
Tennessee
Nashville 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa Parks Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243
E-mail: nashvillestairclimb@gmail.com
Website: www.nashvillestairclimb.com
Virginia
Richmond 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 8, 2013
SunTrust Center
919 E. Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
E-mail:michael.oprandy@richmondgov.com
Wisconsin
Greater Wausau Area 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 7, 2013
Corporate Cove Tower
1 Corporate Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
E-mail:memorialstairclimbwausau@yahoo.com
Wyoming
Laramie 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
September 11, 2013
Univ. of Wyoming, War Memorial Stadium
2001 Grand Avenue
Laramie, WY 82070
E-mail: gstonum@cityoflaramie.org
