Firefighters Climb 110 Stories To Honor 9/11 Victims And First Responders

343 firefighters lost their lives on September 11th, 2001 when they rushed into the World Trade Center Towers to rescue victims.

Today, firefighters from all over Oklahoma climbed 110 stories inside First Place Tower in Downtown Tulsa to honor those victims.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt was in attendance and wants the firefighters to realize they're appreciated too.

"I just really respect them, and I wanted to be here to let them know that all 4 million Oklahomans are behind them and we support them here in Oklahoma," Stitt said

Dozens of first responders climbed up First Place Tower three times, equaling the height of the World Trade Center.

Each step harder than the last; each head sweatier than before.

But firefighter Matt Lay says this reminds him why he does his job in the first place.

"Each and every year this is a gut check," Lay said. "This is one of those things that you do your best to stay prepared day in and day out for whatever incident, whatever emergency comes your way,"

Each first responder had tags with the names of first responders who died on September 11th.

Once they finish, they have just enough in them to say the names of those they are paying tribute to.

Stitt says he hopes events like these show how much first responders mean to the community.

"We just really need to appreciate and be thankful for the freedoms that we have in our country," Stitt said. "And so when you see military, or when you see first responders, just thank them for our freedom."