PNC Park stair climb to honor fallen firefighters

First responders and members of the public will climb 2,200 steps at PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore on Saturday to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty.

The Fallen Firefighter Memorial Stair Climb was organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The event will benefit the First Responder Center for Excellence, an organization focused on supporting physical health of first responders, and the Pirates Charities, which focuses on youth health, fitness and education.

As of Friday, donors and participants raised $12,046 for these causes, according to a tally posted to the event web page.

“The Memorial Stair Climb is an opportunity for anyone in the community to demonstrate respect and admiration for these courageous men and women who gave their lives trying to save others,” Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation said in a statement. “It’s also a way to show their loved ones that we will never forget them.”

The 2,200-step climb will simulate the 110 stories of the World Trade Center in New York City, where 343 firefighters from the Fire Department of New York died while trying to save occupants on Sept. 11, 2001, according to a statement from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

“Every one of those firefighters knew the dangers they faced,” Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones said in a statement.

Jones and members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire will participate in the stair climb.

“In addition, this event is important because it stresses the benefits of being healthy and fit,” Jones said. “A firefighter must be physically strong with great endurance, even under the most difficult conditions.”

The stair climb is open to the public. Register ahead of time at firehero.org or the morning of the event, starting at 8 a.m. at PNC Park.