On Sept. 22, firefighters and the public are invited to make a 110-story climb to honour those lost in the line of duty with the Lethbridge 9/11 Stair Climb. The event is also held to keep local fallen Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services members close to our hearts and climb to honour them.
Carl Mix is a senior firefighter with LFES and vice-president of Lethbridge Firefighters Charities. “I’ve been the co-organizer of this event for a couple of years and I’ve participated for 10 years.”
According to Mix, the event is a good way to use firefighter training to physically push members, while remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as local members who have passed away.
The event takes place at Melcor Centre at 10 a.m., as 110 flights replicate what 9/11 members would have made, notes Mix. “We’re doing 10 laps, going up and down the stairs to replicate their ascent and descent.”
The distance is equivalent to the height of the World Trade Centre towers in New York, as they stood before the attacks of 9/11. It is believed many rescuers would have made a similar climb that day, but many never returned home.
“We don’t do it in full gear anymore. It is optional to do it with the breathing apparatus. We invite anybody from the public to do it. They can do it in their workout clothes. We would allow members to do it in their firefighting boots and helmets, but that’s it,” says Mix.
Donations are also accepted to Lethbridge Firefighter Charities.
“This event is split between Lethbridge Firefighter Charities, which helps out the community and our own members when we’re in need or if there was a special event that would require a little bit of funding. This also helps out A New Dawn Foundation, which provides mental health services for EMS and firefighters in southern Alberta,” adds Mix.
Mix says this event is a local, but there are other stair climbs throughout Canada. “And they’re a little bit different. This one, the money goes to the local community and members.”
Participants are encouraged to ask for sponsors in the form of pledges to raise funds.
To register, go to raceroster.com.
