In a fitting tribute to the memories of the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who died at the World Trade Center, firefighters will climb the stairwells of high-rise buildings in 39 locations as part of the National Fallen Firefighters (NFFF) 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs.

Participants will climb the stairwells multiple times for a total of 110 stories, representing the number of floors in the Twin Towers. All firefighters will have the option to start in full turn-out gear and carry equipment, just as their fire service brothers did that morning, or wear their work uniforms or gym clothes and simply walk in tribute to the fallen firefighters.

Each climb is hosted and managed by local firefighters or people with an interest in ensuring that the 343 firefighters are not forgotten and to support the families of the fallen. Most climbs are specifically for firefighters, but some are open to the public.

All participants will receive a photo and badge of one of the fallen heroes of September 11th. A total of 343 individuals can participate in each event. Registration fees will be directed to the NFFF to assist the surviving families and coworkers of those firefighters killed on September 11, 2001.

"The 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs are a tremendous way to honor those heroes by completing the symbolic climb that they could not finish," said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. "These climbs are also a way to let the families know the legacies of their loved ones are remembered by so many in the fire service."

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs are inspired by stair climbs that first took place in Denver in 2005. Five Colorado firefighters gathered at a high-rise in the city to climb 110 flights of stairs in memory of their 343 FDNY brothers. Word spread throughout the Denver area fire departments and by 2007, more than 100 firefighters wanted to participate. Interest continued to increase each year and was capped at 343 in 2008.

Similar climbs have occurred in Albuquerque, Seattle, Nashville and Huntsville, AL. In 2010, the original Denver team partnered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to create a template that other departments could use to plan their own stair climb.

To find a climb in your area and to register, go to www.9-11stairclimb.com or contact Victor Stagnaro, director of NFFF Fire Safety Programs at vstagnaro@firehero.org or Oren Briese at climbhigh@mindspring.com.