VIDEO: For the 14th year, Anchorage firefighters commemorated 9/11 with a step challenge. Firefighters from across the department gathered at a local gym. Fully dressed in gear that weighs up to 60 pounds, they spent 11 minutes on stair climbing equipment to see how close they could get to completing 110 steps, signifying the 110 stories of the World Trade Center towers that were attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. Thursday marked 24 years since the terrorist attacks. “There are stair climb challenges all over the nation [Thursday] to remember those who are not with us anymore because of September 11th,” said Firefighter and Paramedic Chris Pavadore, who helped organize the event.
Pavadore said the challenge helps build camaraderie as firefighters challenge themselves and each other, but most importantly, it honors the sacrifices of the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives that day. “None of those guys went to work that day maybe could have predicted what happened,” Pavadore said. “So, this event helps us remember all of that and keeps us moving forward by remembering what’s happened in the past.” Many of those participating in Thursday’s event were children in 2001, but not all. Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage recalls he was the senior captain on duty at the Airport Heights fire station that day.
