St. George firefighters participate in 3rd Annual New Orleans 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Next month will mark the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

More than 2,700 people lost their lives in that attack. Of those victims, 411 were first responders.

The New Orleans 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb pays tribute to the 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and 8 emergency medical service technicians that made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

Each year, first responders from all over the world climb 110 flights of stairs in honor of these fallen heroes. In 2017, 411 climbers from seven states and three countries participated in the event. This year will be the third time the event will be held. It is traditionally hosted at 400 Poydras Towers in New Orleans.

Also, 411 climbers from nine states and four countries will participate in the climb. Last year, after all expenses were paid, the New Orleans Memorial Stair Climb donated $20,000 to local and statewide families of first responders that perished in the line of duty. 2017 recipient families include: Michael Louivere, Shawn Anderson, Montrell Jackson, Brad Garafola, and Matthew Gerald.

For more information about the event, CLICK HERE.

To make a donation, contact Neil Navarro by sending an email to director@neworleansstairclimb.com.

This year's event takes place on Saturday, September 15 at 8:46 a.m. and goes until 12 p.m. Firefighters from across the world attend the event.

The St. George Fire Department has participated in the Memorial Stair Climb for the past three years.  Last year, the team won the inaugural cookoff competition. This year, 27 SGFD firefighters will participate in the stair climb.

The event is free and open to the public.

Following the memorial stair climb, there will be an Annual Brotherhood Bash in Lafayette Square, where the Bag of Donuts will perform during the Battle of the Badges Cook-Off Competition.

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