Firefighters are called into moments most people hope they never experience. When something goes terribly wrong and fear takes over, one of the first things we all do is call 911. Whether it is a house fire, a serious accident, someone trapped or simply scared and unsure of what to do, our local firemen are the ones who show up. They answer that call time and time again, often not fully knowing what they are walking into until they arrive, but willing to put themselves at risk for people they may never have met.
That willingness to step into the unknown for someone else is heroic on its own. What is equally remarkable is how often their service continues beyond an emergency.
That same commitment was on display at St. George’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, where more than 400 people gathered at the Tech Ridge stairs to remember the 343 firefighters who died on Sept. 11, 2001. An estimated 120 to 150 firefighters participated in uniform alongside community members.
Esplin said five laps on the Tech Ridge stairs were designed to represent 110 flights of the World Trade Center, reflecting the climb firefighters faced on Sept. 11.
“We don’t care if they do a half a lap or they do the complete five laps,” Esplin said. “We just want people to come and be with us and remember that day.”
In 93-degree heat, the purpose behind the climb became easier to understand. Participants and firefighters alike stopped to catch their breath. Some firefighters dropped to a knee to rest, others became sick from the exertion, and some removed parts of their gear as the climb wore on. Still, they returned to the stairs and kept going.
Nothing about a memorial stair climb can duplicate what firefighters faced inside the World Trade Center. But the physical difficulty offers a glimpse of what their profession can demand: continuing forward while exhausted, carrying heavy equipment and heading into a situation where someone is depending on them.
Similar stair climbs have become a tradition among fire departments and individual firefighters across the country. Some gather at stadiums or organized events, while others mark the day on their own, by climbing the StairMaster at the gym.
“The idea is just to honor those 343 people by climbing as many flights as you can,” Esplin said.
In St. George, that remembrance also became a way to help others. Esplin said the event was expected to raise about $3,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports families of fallen first responders and military members by providing mortgage-free homes and other assistance. Those who would like to learn more or donate can visit http://T2T.org.
That is why “never forget” still matters 25 years later. It reminds us not only of the firefighters who were lost that day, but of the selflessness that still lives on in firefighters who continue to show up for strangers, for one another and for the communities they serve.
Perhaps that is something worth being thankful for this season: knowing that when the worst happens, there are still people willing to show up.