Stair climb honors firefighters who died in 9/11 attacks

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An event at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) honored firefighters who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks. 

Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 stories of steps at Lucas Oil Stadium as a way to replicate the steps climbed by first responders at the World Trade Center.

Step by step, some wearing heavy gear and others in their jogging clothes, about 650 people climbed together on Friday to raise money for the families of firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. 

“We knew what we were going up against. But the families, the wives who lost their husbands, the husbands who lost their wives — the family members did not know what they were getting into that day,” said Mike Dugan, who was a New York City Fire Department captain when the attacks occurred.

Dugan arrived on scene right after the second tower collapsed. 

“I knew it was amazing because I saw a rig of a fire company that I worked with, on fire, on the street, and I’m like, ‘This is bad,’” said Dugan. 

Three hundred and forty-three firefighters lost their lives in the attacks.

“There is still a lot of pain for those families. So this helps with the counseling unit and the awareness for those people,” said Dugan. 

The stair climb event at the instructor’s conference raises an average of $10,000. Organizers want to double attendance next year to 1,300 participants. If you would like to help out the families but were not able to participate click here.