Photo courtesy of MySouthlakeNews.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, 15 Southlake emergency responders gave their training a true test in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in Dallas. The participants included 10 DPS firefighters and 5 police officers.
Southlake Fire Chief Mike Starr, along with Fire Engineer Robert McCallion, Lieutenants Ryan Sessums, Frank Molinets and Kevin Horn, firefighters Will Mayer, Jody Keeler, Kevin Barry, Russ Brown and John Jackson will join Southlake Police Assistant Chief Ashleigh Douglas, Lieutenant Randy Thomas, Sergeant Tyler Sewell, and Police Officer’s Weston Wood and Delaney Green for the climb.
"All of these first responders have trained and prepared for months for this year’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb," according to a recent story on MySouthlakeNews. "Fire Chief Mike Starr said, 'It is an honor for us to pay tribute to the fallen firefighters and their families. We climb to remember them and to honor their memory.'"
The story continued...
"The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was created to remember the 343 firefighters, 70 police officers, and nine EMS personnel who lost their lives that day. It was organized following 9/11 and continues to grow each year. This year's climb [was] one of dozens occurring all across the United States. Each member of the Southlake DPS team, along with the other climbers, will wear the name and picture of a fallen FDNY firefighter, police officer or EMS worker. Assistant Chief Ashleigh Douglas said, 'Participating in the stair climb is a very humbling experience. The climb allows us the opportunity to make certain these brave souls will never be forgotten.'"
The local event was held at the Renaissance Tower in Dallas, which bears 110 steps. The climb began at 8:50 a.m., the same time the first responders arrived at the Twin Towers.