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They came to climb 110 storeys. That's seven trips up to the 17th floor of the Landmark 6 building. They climbed wearing full gear which is approximately 60 pounds. They did it to show respect and act in remembrance 18 years after 343 firefighters died responding to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre.
"We wanted to have this event to recognize that and not forget about it," said training officer Glenn Paley. "One thing to keep in mind is the firefighters in New York that day," he added, "not only did they have to climb, they had to go to work."
This is the second year of the event with 22 firefighters taking part.
"Before we started, we talked about the significance of what they did that day and while we were climbing the idea was to remember those that were lost that day."
If it sounds difficult, it was."The guys were exhausted mentally," said Paley.
"Nobody wanted to give up. Firefighters don't give up. That's their nature so everybody kept going but it was very grueling."
There is a camaraderie that first responders feel for one another, especially when there is a tragedy.
"I don't think there was anybody here today that wouldn't have gone up those towers that day. Firefighters, it's their nature to just go hard right to the end and that's what everybody did."
Each firefighter participating will make a minimum $20 donation to the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society with proceeds going to Wounded Warriors Canada to support first responders and their families.
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