The 9/11 memorial stair climb is set to be held Saturday at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound.
Chatsworth Firefighter Brent Radmore says the climb is set to take place on Saturday the 20th at about 10 a.m.
“There will be vendors on site and everyone is invited to cheer on the stair climb participants,” says Radmore, adding, “Different fire departments from across Grey and Bruce Counties will be taking part– and some from further away like Arthur.”
The 9/11 memorial stair climb is meant to honour the firefighters who died while responding to the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City. The stair climb represents the 110 flights of stairs those first responders climbed that day.
Radmore says, “We have Intertownship, Meaford, Grey Highlands, Hanover, Chatsworth, there’s a ton of departments. We’ve got OPP coming out this year, Owen Sound Police, the military, EMS. The Owen Sound Mayor is going to be there, Chatsworth Mayor, (MP) Alex Ruff and (MPP) Paul Vickers– We’ve kind of expanded it this year.”
He adds, “Firefighters are doing it in full turnout gear. EMS, OPP and military are doing it in their duty uniforms. We do 10 laps around which is equal to about 110 flights of stairs which is what the first responders climbed on 9-11.”
“We do this to remember them,” says Radmore, who notes money raised is going to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for mental health training for first responders in the area.
Those who would like to donate can give a cash donation at the event or donate on the CMHA website.
“From start to finish last year, from when the first participant started to when the last person finished was an hour and forty minutes. So it’s equal to about 2,100 stairs that we’re climbing up,” says Radmore.
As for the gear, Radmore says, “It’s like wearing a snowsuit, basically is the best way to explain it. It doesn’t breathe very well and sweat doesn’t get out, so by about lap three you’re hot and tired and just about done and you’ve got seven more to go.”