Firefighters and community members in St. Tammany Parish honored first responders Friday by participating in stair climbs across southeast Louisiana.
Each step symbolized the efforts of the heroes at the World Trade Center 25 years ago.
Dozens of first responders from the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 and Slidell police officers climbed 110 steps at Cross Gates Fitness to simulate the 110 stories first responders ascended to reach victims in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.
More than 400 first responders died on 9/11 while trying to rescue victims inside the World Trade Center, 343 of them were firefighters.
Cross Gates Fitness is donating 50 cents for every flight (18 steps) walked by first responders and club members, aiming to raise $5,000 to support first responders in St. Tammany Parish.
First responders will also gather for a memorial service at Heritage Park in Slidell at 5 p.m.
READ MORE:Slidell firefighters and police honor 9/11 heroes in stair climb at Cross Gates Fitness
