It’s time for the community to step up and support First Responders

By David Taylor / Managing Editor

CROSBY — Firefighters, first responders and community members will gear up later this month to honor the lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with the fourth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, hosted by the Crosby Volunteer Fire Department.

The event will take place Saturday, March 28, and is designed to honor the 343 firefighters and first responders who were killed when the Twin Towers collapsed in New York City. This year’s climb also marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, making the tribute especially meaningful for organizers and participants alike.

“This is a big deal for us,” said Warren Thompson, spokesperson for the fire department and one of the event organizers. “Even though it’s only our fourth one, we’re honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and that’s what we’re pushing as far as our campaign goes.”

Gates will open to the public for registration at 5:30 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The stair climb is expected to begin shortly after at 6:45 p.m., allowing much of the event to take place under the stadium lights.

Organizers have adjusted the flow of the climb this year to give participants brief recovery periods between stair evolutions. The updated route will alternate between the home and visitor sides of the stadium.

“We feel like that’s going to work better,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be easier on the participants and give them a little breather in between.”

Many firefighters will climb wearing full turnout gear and equipment weighing 100 to 150 pounds, meant to replicate what first responders carried as they rushed up the stairwells of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

“That’s the best way to honor them,” Thompson said. “To replicate what they did.”

Participants symbolically complete 2,200 steps, the number of steps firefighters climbed in the Twin Towers that day.

“After those first hundred steps, you start remembering fast,” Thompson said. “It really puts it into perspective.”

The event is open to the public, and participants are not required to wear firefighting gear. Those who choose not to climb the stairs can instead walk laps around the track, ensuring the event remains accessible to all fitness levels.

“The whole idea is you come out and you honor,” Thompson said. “It doesn’t matter how you finish.”

Registration costs $35, with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Each registered participant receives a T-shirt and a commemorative challenge coin.

Participants may also carry memorial honor badges bearing the names of fallen first responders. Those badges are kept after the event so climbers can later learn more about the individuals they honored.

“You keep the badge and then you see the backstory of that individual,” Thompson said, when they look them up online later.

Those unable to participate physically can still support the cause through sponsorships, which allow individuals or businesses to sponsor climbers in their place.

Opening ceremonies will again feature RE/MAX Skydivers, who will descend carrying an American flag and a firefighter helmet, along with the Crosby Middle School band performing the national anthem.

“We hope this will be our biggest ever, especially on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this year,” Thompson said.

There are only two stair climb events this year associated with the foundation including Crosby VFD and Beaumont VFD. Fire departments, EMS, law enforcement and crossfit participants from all over east Harris County will participate.

“This is not about us — it’s about honoring those who gave everything.”