FORT SILL, Okla., Oct. 5, 2017 -- Firefighters from Fort Sill paid homage to the 434 New York City firefighters who died during the Sept. 11 attacks by climbing 110 stories during the Oklahoma City 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The annual commemoration was limited to 434 active or retired firefighters, and it drew firefighters from around the country.
Directorate of Emergency Services firefighters Kinson Barton, Cory Garrard, Zac Howell, Jeremy Luedtke, and Josh Phillips participated in the stair climb while wearing 60 pounds of firefighting gear (bunker gear), Sept. 16, at the Chase Building in OKC.
"It's to give respect to the guys who perished, and it's in their memory," said Phillips, who did the climb for the third straight year. "I enjoy it, and it brings pride into why I'm doing the job."
Every climber carried an ID lanyard, and accountability tag of a firefighter who died on 9/11.
Barton carried the tag of Capt. John Fisher, age 46, who worked at Ladder Company 20 in Manhattan. His company was last seen on the 35th floor of World Trade Center Tower 1.
"To go and read about him and his job and his family -- that inspired me," Barton said.
After a firefighter completed the stair climb, the deceased firefighter's accountability tag that he or she carried was affixed to a board and a bell was rung symbolizing that the lost firefighter had returned to their homestation, Phillips said.
"That was the best part," Phillips said, "the whole crowd was watching. It gave me goosebumps."
It was the first stair climb for Howell, who was in the second grade on Sept. 11, 2001.
Howell said he felt the climb was an accomplishment and that he was fortunate to represent Fort Sill, as they remembered the firefighters. He has been with Fort Sill Fire and Emergency Services for one year.
Because the Chase Building is only about 30 stories, firefighters would climb to the top then take an elevator down and repeat the process until they had climbed 110 floors, which was the height of the World Trade Center (WTC). Phillips noted that the New York Fire Department firefighters' highest climb was to about the 70th floor where one of the planes struck.
The Chase staircase was narrow, about four-feet wide, and it was hot and humid, Howell said.
Firefighters had to ascend single file and in groups of about 30, with staggered starts, Phillips said. The first formation started at 8:46 a.m. the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
Firefighters would climb about 10 flights, take a break and then continue, Phillips said. "You had to stay hydrated and take breaks or the heat would get to you."
This technique was also used by the NYC firefighters so they wouldn't be dog-tired and useless when they reach their destination, Phillips said, relaying what he had learned in a documentary about 9/11.
The climb drew full-time, and volunteer firefighters. One of the climbers was a retired female firefighter in her 60s, Phillips said.
Firefighters could chose what they wanted to wear.
The Fort Sill firefighters opted for full bunker gear, while others in bunker gear also carried hotel packs (extra hose). "That was even more weight to carry," Phillips said. The 9/11 firefighters were even carrying tools as they climbed the WTC.
Bunker boots were not designed for climbing 110 floors and they have steel plates to prevent the soles from being punctured, Howell said. Plus bunker gear restricts your movement, Phillips said.
Everyone was encouraging each other during the climb, Phillips said.
"Come on you're almost there. You got it! Are you OK?" was what Phillips heard during his ascension.
Although firefighters are fit, Howell said he still began to train for the climb about six months ago.
His training regimen began by climbing the stairwell in regular clothes at the old fire station across from the Henry Post Army Airfield. He then increased his duration, eventually doing the training in full bunker gear.
Phillips said he began training a couple weeks before the event, climbing the stairs at the Lawtonian apartments. Then he got sick right before the event. Still that did not stop him from participating, and he said he plans to do it for a long time.
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