Fire district hosts stair climb

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

WALLACE — Eighteen years later and the horrific terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, can still be felt by many. The events of that day claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people — 412 of which were emergency workers simply trying to save lives.

Of those 412 emergency workers who perished, 343 of them were firefighters. An additional 200 firefighters would die later on from illnesses they got while working at ground zero.

Every year since, individuals around the globe pay their respects to the fallen in their own ways.

Here in the Silver Valley, Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 personnel host an annual stair climb in Wallace. Stair climbs such as these are done all over the county, some even done by firefighters who simply wear their gear and jump on a stair climber machine.

This year’s event on Wednesday, Sept. 11 will be a bit different from the last two years its been held, as it will be in a different location and be much more inclusive.

SCFD No. 1 Captain John Miller explains that the first two years were smaller affairs that only involved firefighters and a few other community members.

The plan now is to invite everybody who wants to join in and honor those who died.

“We want to get the community involved more,” he said. “We don’t want it to just be first responders or firefighters.”

With an anticipated increase in participation, the route has been altered to include two separate flights of stairs — one for going up and another from coming down.

The climb will begin at the base of the staircase just west of the old Wallace City Pool. After making it to Pearl Street, climbers will head east on the road and then head up the stairs above the viaduct to Olive Street. From there they will head west and then go down the first staircase back to Pearl Street to restart the process.

The goal is for everybody to climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs (2,310 steps) — the same as the World Trade Center.

“We do it as a way to pay tribute to those who gave all that day,” Cpt. Miller said. “Firefighters had to go up the stairwells in the World Trade Centers to save people, so we climb the same amount as them.”

In addition to the climb, District No. 1 is creating badges with the names and small biographies of each firefighter that was killed on 9/11. Each person who participates will be given a badge to take with them on the climb.

While firefighters plan on wearing their turnout gear during the event, other participants are allowed to wear whatever attire they wish.

Hotel Street will be temporarily closed throughout the course of the climb.

The plan is for everyone to meet at 604 Hotel St. at 8:30 a.m. where coffee and snacks will be provided by The Bean coffee shop.

Registration is $15 and is open until Sept. 3.

Participation T-shirts will be given out and all proceeds will go to the Jeff Welch Memorial fund, which will contribute to families of first responders who have suffered a catastrophic injury or died in the line of duty.

Welch was the Fire Chief of the Northern Lakes Fire District and was an active member of the community until he died a few months ago from cancer.

“He was very well-known around the North Idaho area and was a very selfless man who dedicated his life to helping other firefighters with training and other professional development,” Miller said.

To register, visit www.districtonefire.com/9-11-memorial-stair-climb.html or call 208-752-1101.