What is the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb?
Fulfilling a promise to "NEVER FORGET" their brothers and sisters who have died in the line of duty, firefighters from Texas and beyond converge upon a downtown Dallas skyscraper, don forty to sixty pounds of protective gear and climb 110 stories into the sky. Dallas's stair climb is among a growing number of others that are held annually around the world on or near September 11th.
"We climb because they climbed."
The
DALLAS
Climb
DALLAS
On the morning of September 11th 2001 thousands of New York's Bravest and Finest responded to the attacks on the Twin Towers in order to perform the largest rescue and high-rise firefighting operation to date. Firefighters climbed the stairs of the 110 story buildings in their forty to sixty pounds of personal protective gear PLUS twenty to thirty pounds of additional firefighting equipment.
Recreating the climb provides participants (active duty firefighters) incredible insight into the physical challenge faced by NYC firefighters on 9/11. Witnessing the event provides spectators (family, friends and the general public) both an inspiring experience and intense reminder of the sacrifice, dedication and commitment required of firefighters to protect their communities around the world.
A Symbolic Tribute
The Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is not a race, but rather a tribute honoring the sacrifices of fallen firefighters. Our event features numerous symbolic elements, including those specific to 9/11. Some of the general symbolic elements of our event include:
The day of the event symbolic elements are placed into a timeline that mimics the events of 9/11/01. Some of these elements include:
Perhaps the most poignant connection to their story occurs when firefighters climb because they climbed.
Participants are given a biographical sketch and accountability tag of a NYC firefighter who gave their life on September 11th (343) or who has passed since due to their response and exposure at "Ground Zero" (69 as of 9/11/11).
Climber groups will be assembled based upon the name they are climbing for, with the all of the fallen's names placed into the same company assignments as those on 9/11/01. Groups will remain together throughout the climb, arriving together at the top.
The moment that each tower fell (9:59 and 10:28) climbers will stop, activate their PASS devices (firefighter distress alarm), taps will be played and a moment of silence is observed.
A Table of Honor that is prominently displayed the week before and after the climb in the building lobby. Originally a military tradition, the table has been adapted to include specific fire department elements and a "place setting" for each firefighter killed in the line of duty in Texas since the last climb.The ringing of the last alarm: 5-5-5-5.
As firefighters reach the top they place their accountability tag on a board and ring a bell indicating that the firefighter they climbed for has made it to the top. Climbing groups are given the opportunity for group pictures with one of four flags: US, Texas, Flag of Heroes and the Flag of Honor.
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