Friday, March 29, 2024

Southlake Fire and Police Participate in 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Preparation is already underway for next year’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb – scheduled for September 5th, 2015 at the Renaissance Tower in Dallas.  IMG_3803

On Saturday, September 6th, 2014 four firefighters from the DPS Southlake Fire Department and three police officers from the Southlake Police Department participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Southlake police officers and firefighters wanted to “climb to remember” to honor the fallen firefighters who were killed on September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center Towers fell.

Southlake Fire Chief Mike Starr, along with Fire Lieutenant Ryan Sessums, firefighters Will Mayer, and Jody Keeler and Southlake Police Lieutenant Ashleigh Douglas, Police Sergeant Tyler Sewell, and Police Officer Weston Wood trained and prepared for months for this years 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Fire Chief Mike Starr said, “It was a very humbling experience.  We reached our goal but more importantly, it was an honor to pay tribute to the fallen firefighters and their families.”

The event was organized following 9/11 and continues to grow each year. This year’s climb was one of dozens that occurring all across the United States.

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was created to remember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives that day. Each member of the Southlake DPS team, along with the other climbers, wore the name and picture of a fallen FDNY firefighter to show that they will never be forgotten.

Southlake firefighters and police officers participated in the Dallas Stair Climb at the Renaissance Tower in Dallas.  Several hundred firefighters and police officers climbed 110 stairs, the same number of stairs as the firefighters who perished more than a decade ago.

Opening ceremonies began at 8:30 a.m., followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane flew into the north tower.  Firefighters started their climb at 8:50 a.m., the time the FDNY first responders arrived at the Twin Towers.

There are several more climbs scheduled through the end of the year so you still have time to donate. If you would like to donate to the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb go to http://www.firehero.org/events/9-11-stair-climbs/find-9-11-climb-near/ .

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