SAN DIEGO — Thousands packed the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel Saturday morning for the fourth annual San Diego Firefighter 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
The stair climb honored firefighters, police and other emergency personnel killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Various teams of volunteers from emergency personnel to civilians ascended the hotel’s more than 30 stories three times to make 110 stories in all — the same amount as the World Trade Towers.
“Today as we climb the stairs, with each step we are honoring those who climbed but never came out,” said Marine combat veteran Nathan Fletcher.
Each climber received a badge and photo representing one of the 403 firefighters, police officers, port authority officers and emergency medical personnel who died in the terror attacks.
The event, one of 30 like this around the U.S., will raise funds for programs that assist firefighters and their families impacted by on-duty injuries and death. So far this year, organizers have raised more than $85,000 but hope to hit $100,000 in the coming days.
FOX 5’s Erica Fox emceed the event with FOX 5 as the proud media sponsor.
Opening ceremony @SD911MSC in honor of firefighters and those lost on #9/11 @HiltonBayfront @EricaFOX5 is the emcee pic.twitter.com/yC6eirKAGh
— Abbey Gibb (@AbbeyGibb) September 5, 2015
After 110 floors w #Vistafire and @fox5sandiego @911sdmsc @EricaFOX5 pic.twitter.com/lNMnwN0H9F
— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) September 5, 2015
Let's do this! @SD911MSC @EricaFOX5 @RaoulFOX5 @BradFOX5 ! #neverForget @fox5sandiego pic.twitter.com/blRzvp6Ozo
— Jenn Karlman (@JennKarlman) September 5, 2015
Climbing w Chula Vista FD @SD911MSC #neverforget #911 pic.twitter.com/YI79n7LZxC
— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) September 5, 2015
Opening ceremonies @SD911MSC @fox5sandiego sponsoring w/ beautiful @EricaFOX5 emceeing. Fundraising for firefighters pic.twitter.com/Bl6TSqrMy7
— Abbey Gibb (@AbbeyGibb) September 5, 2015
You did it brother! Way to crush the climb @RaoulFOX5! Thanks for supporting @FirefighterAid pic.twitter.com/fZaSwobnFb
— San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (@SD911MSC) September 5, 2015