SCFD No. 1 gets set for annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
WALLACE — Twenty 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 have come to 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 5th annual event on Saturday, Sept. 11 will feature not only the stair climb, but some music and beer as well.
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 the last few years has been to invite everybody who wants to join in and honor those who died.
"We had around 60 climbers in 2019 and at least 1/4 were from the public!" Miller said. "We hope to see more this year. We had firefighters from Idaho Falls, Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene FD, Spokane FD and Kootenai Fire in the past."
After changing up the route slightly in 2019 to accommodate an increase in participation, participants will once again begin at the base of the staircase just west of the old Wallace City Pool.
The pre-climb ceremony will start at 8:45 a.m., to coincide with when the first tower was struck in 2001, and feature a performance by the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Pipes & Drums.
At 9 a.m., climbers will make their way to Pearl Street, head east on that 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.
Due to the temporary foot traffic, Hotel Street will be partially blocked that morning.
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,” 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.”
As participants walk the stairs, they are asked to carry badges with them that feature a name and small biography of a firefighter that was killed on 9/11.
While firefighters plan on wearing their turnout gear during the event, other participants are allowed to wear whatever attire they wish.
All proceeds from the climb 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 passed away in 2019 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.
Unlike previous years, there is no registration. Money for the Welch Fund will instead come from commemorative T-shirts that will be made on-site by Oliver's Mercantile, raffle tickets for various prizes, and a special beer brewed just for this occasion.
Miller explains that the stair climb has partnered with Wallace Brewing Company this year to produce a special "Chief 501 Wheat" beer that will be available for purchase at the brewery following the event.
For more information on the Wallace stair climb, call 208-752-1101.
To learn more about the Jeff Welch Memorial Fund, visit https://www.jwmfidaho.com/
Sponsors for the event include Backcountry Café, Oliver's Mercantile, Wallace Brewing, Idaho Silver Shop, The Bean, and F&H Mine Supply.
