#ForThe343 Campaign Surpasses 550,000 Flights Climbed to Honor Firefighters Killed on 9/11

By MES Dispatch Staff

The Briefing

• The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s #ForThe343 campaign has logged more than 550,000 flights of stairs climbed nationwide this summer.
• The campaign honors the 343 FDNY firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as firefighters who have died in the line of duty since.
• Participants have climbed in locations ranging from firehouses and workplaces to Blarney Castle, the Appalachian Trail and Minnesota’s Target Field.
• NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro said the initiative asks the public to symbolically complete the climb the 343 firefighters could not finish.
• The campaign is on pace to surpass 1 million flights climbed, with dozens of events scheduled Sept. 11-13 at venues including MetLife Stadium, Lambeau Field and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

EMMITSBURG, Md. — Participants across the country have climbed more than 550,000 flights of stairs this summer as part of #ForThe343, a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation campaign honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The nationwide initiative encourages people to climb stairs in remembrance of the firefighters who responded to the World Trade Center. Participants have shared their climbs on social media, including fire departments, social media influencers and a former “Survivor” winner, while challenging others to take part. Some have completed the challenge in notable locations, including Blarney Castle in Ireland, the Appalachian Trail and Target Field in Minnesota.

“I was one of the members of the NFFF team that responded to New York immediately following 9/11 and witnessed the nation come together to support the fire service,” NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro said. “Now we are asking the nation to stand with New York again and symbolically complete the climb these 343 heroes could not finish. We’re inviting everyone to climb from a firehouse, their workplace or their home, because every step helps us keep the promise to never forget.”

The campaign is on track to surpass 1 million flights climbed, with dozens of events scheduled Sept. 11-13 at venues including MetLife Stadium, Lambeau Field and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Anyone can participate by climbing at least one flight of stairs, sharing the effort on social media and challenging others to join, or by taking part in one of more than 115 official 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs held nationwide. Partners supporting the campaign include 5.11, the National Fire Sprinkler Association and SugarXR, with Retro Fitness hosting 75 in-person climbs on Sept. 11.