Tulsa First Responders Climb To Honor Fallen 9/11 Emergency Workers

Special services are going on in New York City and across the country to remember those who died on September 11th 16 years ago.

In Tulsa, about 100 firefighters are honoring those who died while working to rescue 9/11 victims.

The Twin Towers stood 110 stories high, so firefighters and first responders are climbing 110 stories in full bunker gear at the First Place Tower.

“We've got our pants, jackets, helmet,” said Tulsa Fire Cadet Tyler DeShazo.

They're also wearing their air tanks.

In all, firefighters are loaded down with about 70 pounds’ worth of gear - just like the first responders would have been on this day 16 years ago when 412 emergency workers lost their lives trying to save others on 9/11.

“I remember they turned the TV on while we were in class and we watched the second plane hit,” DeShazo said.

The fire cadet was just in third grade on the day of the attack - too young to understand the gravity of what happened - but he knows now, and he's proud to represent those who have served and gone before him.

“I think it's really cool that we get to honor them, and kind of carry on their legacy and be here to show support for what they've done,” he said.

“It kind of puts into perspective how lucky and grateful we are to be where we are,” Firefighter Dylan Broadland said.

They're reminded exactly what they work for each day.

“Puts into perspective as well what they went through to get to try to help people to try to save people on a terrible day,” Broadland said.

Because First Place Tower is just 41 stories high, the first responders are having to take elevators down then climb back up two-and-a-half times to meet that 110-story mark.