On 9/11, when planes were flown into the twin towers, more than 200 fire units responded, representing half of all units in New York City, according to the Akron Firefighters Association. Numerous off-duty firefighters and emergency medical technicians also responded that day.
Considered the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil, the attack at the World Trade Center resulted in the deaths of 2,184 civilians, 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers and 10 EMS personnel, the association said.
The local events take place Saturday, Sept. 11, on the 20th anniversary of the attacks.
To honor those who died that day, anyone over 18 years old can participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron, 375 E. Exchange St.
Climbers can participate alone or in a team for the event, which will not be timed, and spectators are welcome, organizers said.
Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with the climb kicking off at 8:46 a.m., the time the first jetliner struck the World Trade Center’s South Tower.
Participants who are able are encouraged to attempt to climb higher than the 78th floor, which is the highest any firefighter got in the 110-story trade towers 20 years ago, organizers said.
The course will close at 11 a.m. to allow the university to prepare for the Akron Zips home game against Temple University.
Climbers can register online. The $30 registration fee includes four reserved, lower-level tickets to the 3:30 p.m. game against Temple, and 20% off the day of the event at Akronym Brewing, which is a host of the event. All Memorial Stair Climb participants must show an event wristband to receive the discount.
Money raised from the event will support the Safety Forces Support Center, which offers specialized support for stressors police, firefighters, EMS and dispatch personnel face on the job. For more information, visit the Memorial Stair Climb website.
Also honoring those who died on 9/11, the “Last Alarm” Memorial Service will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the Downtown Amphitheater at 2085 Front St. in Cuyahoga Falls.
Mayor Don Walters and Fire Chief Chris Martin are expected to deliver remarks followed by the ringing of bells. The bells signify the Last Alarm tradition performed at services for fallen firefighters.
On Saturday, each bell will be rung three times to honor the memory of the firefighters who died responding to calls to service after the planes struck the buildings, the city said.
That 20 years already has passed is “almost unfathomable,” Walters said in a release.
“This year, we will come together with community members who would like to take a moment to remember, honor, pray, grieve – whatever they need – while knowing they have a community of support surrounding them,” he said.
The event will honor the sacrifices the firefighters made in service to others, Martin said.
“Our department and community continue to honor and remember those lost in the attack and those we have lost since, due to 9/11-related illnesses,” he said.
After a movement of silence, Fire Captain Matthew Kee will deliver a keynote address.
The event is free, but donations will be collected to support the Safety Forces Support Center.