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2023 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Pierce Manufacturing 2023 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Event at Lambeau Field.

Reflect. Respect. With Every Step.

2024 Date To Be Announced

Donate to this Year's Event

Event Overview

A significant part of the Pierce legacy has been giving back to the community and fire industry. Pierce hosts the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb annually at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As we remember America’s fallen fire heroes, all proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives, and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths.

The stair climb starts and finishes on the northwest end of Lambeau Field. The climb route is one full lap of the Lambeau steps. To ensure a smooth and safe event, climb start times are implemented in waves. Pre-register early! Waves are filled on a first-come first-serve basis and are assigned by Pierce Manufacturing based on your registration date and time. You will be notified of your wave prior to the event via email. Each wave will consist of 343 climbers. 

For the latest stair climb updates and answers to additional community questions, follow the event on Facebook. 

You can still make a donation to this year's climb through the end of the year here. 

 

Schedule

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 2024

 
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

ON-SITE REGISTRATION/ PRE-CHECK-IN

Skip the lines Saturday morning. If you haven't pre-registered for the climb online, please register at the ‘Registration’ tent.

Check-in, pick-up your badge, entrance wristband, and stair climb t-shirt (if registered prior to August 13) at the ‘Check-In’ tent. Spectators must obtain a stadium entrance wristband and are encouraged to donate at the ‘Check-In’ tent. You can proceed directly to the stage upon arrival Saturday morning.

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER, 2024

 

8:00 AM

ON-SITE REGISTRATION/ CHECK-IN

If you have not pre-registered, register at the 'Registration' tent. Pre-registrants and spectators can check-in at the 'Check-In' tent if not done so the previous night.

9:00 AM

OPENING CEREMONY

Join us for the Presentation of the Colors, National Anthem, and a prayer.  Climbing safety guidelines and wave instructions will be announced prior to the bagpiper procession into the stadium.

 9:30 AM

APPROXIMATE START OF THE CLIMB

Wristbands will be colored-coded to correlate with each wave. Listen for the announcer to call your wave/color. Each wave will consist of 343 climbers.

Entertainment will be provided on the stage near the Kwik Trip Gate for event supporters and participants waiting to climb.

9:30 AM: Wave 1

9:40 AM: Wave 2

9:50 AM: Wave 3

10:00 AM: Wave 4

10:10 AM: Wave 5

10:20 AM: Wave 6

Additional waves will be added as needed.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM APPROXIMATE END OF THE CLIMB

 

What is the Stair Climb?

9/11 timeline signs along the bleachers of Lambeau Field at the Pierce Manufacturing 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Event.

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb events are a tribute to the 343 firefighters who gave their lives during the tragic events at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Members of the community are invited to climb the equivalent of 110 stories - the height of the fallen World Trade Center towers - on the steps of Lambeau Field. Each climber is given a badge with the name and photograph of one of the fallen firefighters to symbolically complete the climb with one of the fallen.

At the equivalent of the 78th floor of the World Trade Center towers, which is the highest floor firefighters reached on 9/11, each climber rings the fire bell in honor of the fallen firefighter on their badge. The stair climb is not a timed race and participants can climb to any desired level. An adult or guardian must accompany minors who participate.

Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in an effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit foundation has developed and expanded programs to support that effort. The organization’s mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives, and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths.

FAQs

Pre Climb
For training purposes, what’s the height of each individual stair that we’ll be climbing? How many steps are in the entire climb route?
The height of the climb route steps at Lambeau Field are 12”. Due to the higher than average step heights and the way that the bowl is constructed, the climb route is roughly 20 flights of stairs equaling approximately 1,300 steps.
What’s involved with pre-check-in on Friday evening?
Skip the lines Saturday morning and check-in, pick-up your badge, wristband, and receive your stair climb t-shirt on Friday night.
What does my wave or start time mean?
Your start time is the estimated time you will start the course. For example, a participant signed up for “Wave 1” will enter Lambeau Field and begin climbing at approximately 9:30 AM. You will be moved to a “standby” area after the Opening Ceremony to wait for your wave to be announced.
How do I register?

You can pre-register online. You can also register on-site the night prior to the climb from 4-7 PM, or the day of the climb.

When registering online, you can register as an individual (not part of a team); you can form a team and become a team captain; or you can join an existing team.

To register as an individual, select the ‘REGISTER as an individual’ button. You will have access to your participant center where you can send e-mails to friends and family asking them to support you.

To create a team and become team captain, select the ‘FORM A TEAM become a team captain’ button. The team captain determines the name of the team and if a password is needed to join the team. 

To join a team, select the ‘JOIN A TEAM to begin fundraising’ button. Each team member will have access to their own participant center where they can send e-mails to friends and family asking for support. All team members’ fundraising contributes to the team total.

All registrants will be asked to login or join as a new user. If you registered online for previous climbs, enter your login information. If you forgot your login, you can have it sent to you by clicking on the ‘Email me my login information’ link. If this is your first time, select the ‘JOIN AS A NEW PARTICIPANT’ button. You will be asked to create a login during the registration process. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk (*). You must pay with a credit/debit card. All major credit cards are accepted.

How do I make sure that I get the same start time as my friends and family?
Waves fill up on a first-come first-serve basis. Each wave will consist of 343 climbers. If you are looking to climb with a group please ensure you sign-up together. 
Can I pick up check-in materials for my friend and/or team member who’s already pre-registered?
YES, you can pick up your friend’s and/or team member’s pre-registration materials. All you will need is their full name to check him or her in once you arrive at the 'Check-In' tent.
What’s included with my registration?

All climbers will receive an honor badge.

Are there any age restrictions?
There are no age restrictions. If a participant is under 18 years of age they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Any child that is willing and able to climb the route will need to register. Participation is free for children being carried by an adult. 
Are there fitness level restrictions?
We count on participants to assess their level of fitness. If at any point the climb becomes too difficult, participants are encouraged to take a break or stop climbing in the interest of safety. Before the climb, all participants must sign a waiver in order to participate.
Where do I park? Is there a fee to park?

Park in Lot 6 at Lambeau Field. Parking is free of charge at the stadium for the day for participants, family and staff.

Lambeau-Parking---2017-Stair-Climb

What should I wear?
Participants can wear athletic clothing or partial or full firefighter turnout gear. As Pierce supports the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, please bring/wear clean gear. Plan accordingly for weather.
What should I bring with me the day of the climb?

If the participant is registering on-site; cash, checks and Visa, Discover, Mastercard and American Express debit/credit cards are accepted.

Participants are encouraged to bring a camera or smartphone for photo opportunities during the opening ceremony and post-climb. They can bring tools, hoses, flags or other items if they choose.

Can I choose who I climb for?
Badges are distributed at random during registration/check-in. Each participant will wear the honor badge during the climb and call out the fallen firefighter's name when they ring the bell. If there's a specific firefighter you'd like to climb for, please send the name request in advance to stairclimb@firehero.org.
During the Climb
How will I know which wave I am on the day of the climb?

Waves are filled on a first-come first-serve basis and are assigned by Pierce Manufacturing based on your registration date and time. You will be notified of your wave prior to the event via email. 

During registration each participant will receive a color-coded wristband that will represent each wave. Listen for the announcer to call your wave/color. Each wave will consist of 343 climbers.

What is the climb route? How long will it take to complete the climb?
The climb route is one full lap, up and down sections around the entire bowl that equate to 110 stories – the height of the fallen World Trade Center towers. Each wave will have a pre-established lead climber. Depending on the number of climbers and the fitness level of each climber, the climb takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to complete. The climb is NOT a timed race.
Are spectators allowed to attend the event?
Spectators are allowed to attend the event for free but are encouraged to donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. All spectators are required to wear a wristband, available at the 'Check-In' tent, in order to enter the stadium. There will be a designated spectating area inside of the bowl in sections 106-108. For safety and security reasons, we ask that spectators please stay inside of the spectator area. 
Are cameras and phones safe to use?

Climbers usually do not use phones and cameras during the climb. Climbers should bring a camera for photo opportunities during the opening ceremony and post climb.

Will there be music to climb to?

The bagpiper will lead climbers into the bowl. After the procession has finished, music will not be played inside of the bowl. This event is about remembrance. You are welcome to bring a personal music device to listen to with headphones, but we encourage climbers to reflect during the climb. Listen to the constant footsteps made by yourself and others climbing around you. Think about the commitment and dedication of the firefighters from 9/11 - let that be your motivation to finish the climb.

Will water be provided?

Yes, plenty of water stations will be positioned at various locations along the climbing route; however, climbers are encouraged to properly hydrate prior to the event.

Will an emergency and medical team be on staff?

Yes, there will be local emergency crews on site for the duration of the climb. In the event of an emergency, event volunteers will communicate with emergency personnel.

What if the weather does not cooperate?

The climb is held rain or shine. In cases of severe weather such as a tornado, lightning or a snowstorm, the event will be cancelled. Weather updates will be emailed to pre-registrants. This event page will also be updated with weather related concerns. 

Post Climb
Where can I take photos after the climb?

There will be two photo ops available at the end of the climb route. Upon route completion, signs will direct you to Section 100 to take photos inside of the bowl which includes a bell. Or you can go to the climb entrance gate to take photos outside of the bowl.

Where can I find photos that were taken at the event?
Photos from the event will be published online at Flickr once available.
How do I provide feedback?

A feedback survey will be emailed to all climbers following the event. Please tell us about your climb experience to help make this event better next year. We appreciate your valuable feedback.

How can I contact the family of the firefighter that I climbed for?

Climbers can leave messages on the Memorial Walls of the firefighters by going to www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighters; and entering the firefighter’s name into the search field.

How are the proceeds from the event used?

100% of the proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to provide programs, support, and counseling services to the families of our nation’s fallen firefighters, as well as work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths.

When will the date of the 2024 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, held at Lambeau Field be available?

The date of the 12th Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will be announced late-spring 2024. We have to wait until the 2024-2025 NFL schedule is announced, as we cannot host a climb on a weekend that the Packers have a home game. Hope to see you there!

If you have a question that is not listed above, please contact Frannie Bedat-Fitzpatrick at fbedatfitzpatrick@piercemfg.com.