Area first responders are taking the stairs this fall, and it’s not because they’re looking to shed a few pounds.

The New Orleans 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb pays tribute to the 343 firefighters, 70 law enforcement officers, and 9 emergency medical service (EMS) technicians who perished on September 11, 2001. New Orleans’ climb is one of eight sanctioned stair climbing events held across the U.S.

This year’s event will be held on September 9, 2017 at 400 Poydras Tower from 7 a.m. – noon. The event features first responders in uniform climbing 110 floors, the same number of floors in the World Trade Center towers. There are two stairways, one each representing the North and South towers and every climber carries a lanyard with a photo of one of the fallen first responders from that day.

The inaugural New Orleans 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was held in 2016. Lt. Terry St. Germain is NOPD’s representative helping plan this year’s event. He participated in last year’s inaugural stair climb and he says the experience had a tremendous impact on him.

“The first part is grueling, both physically and emotionally. Physically it’s hard but it’s really emotional when you come down and hand over that lanyard, said St. Germain, his voice breaking slightly. “I even get emotional now just talking about it.”

Seventy law enforcement officers died on September 11th, so St. Germain would like to have at least that many climbers representing NOPD. And because the event is being held in New Orleans, he would like to see a larger contingent representing the Star and Crescent. In 2016, representation from other area law enforcement agencies dwarfed NOPD’s participation, so St. Germain has been targeting different divisions in an effort to rally the troops.

“I told our SWAT guys about it the other day. Last year Jefferson Parish had their guys in all of their tactical gear climbing those stairs so I’d like to see our guys in there this year,” said St. Germain.

Each climber will carry a lanyard with the photo and name of a first responder who perished on 9/11. Once back on the ground, the climber hands the lanyard over to the FDNY firefighters who are on hand to take each one and place it on the first responders sculpture.  St. Germain is hoping to have NOPD participants carry an additional card on the lanyard for Officer Natasha Hunter.

Only first responders are eligible to do the 110 floor challenge, but this year’s event offers ways for all NOPD employees to participate:

Be part of the cook-off challenge team

The after party takes place in Lafayette Park from noon – 7 p.m., and this year’s event will feature a cooking competition between the participating agencies. The winning team takes home a championship belt to hold on to until the 2018 competition. “It’s a WWE style belt that will be amazingly ridiculous,” said St. Germain. “The artist who created the sculpture is creating the belt too.”

Volunteer

There are many positions open, from registration and operating the water stations during the climb to helping out with preps for the after party. “Volunteers basically make this event happen,” St. Germain said.

Registration for climbers is open to active law enforcement officers, firefighters EMS and military. Anyone 18 years old or older can volunteer. Climbers and volunteers can register at www.neworleansstairclimb.com.

St. Germain is hoping NOPD officers and civilians will show up and support the first responders climbing those steps and paying homage to those who perished in the towers in 2001.

“Come out and encourage your first responder family,” he said. “We need it! “

Proceeds from the event go to the Louisiana Heroes Project, a non-profit organization that supports Louisiana military – past and present – as well as all first responders and their families. The New Orleans 9/11 Stair Climb is a sanctioned event of the Association of Memorial Stair Climbs, a nonprofit 501(c)3. For more information about the New Orleans 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, visit www.neworleansstairclimb.com.