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Community Is Where We Live
The 343 came from 75 firehouses, but they came from workplaces, classrooms, congregations, clubs, teams, and neighborhoods. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, every community in America can honor.
“For the 343 gives every American a way to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Its simple: Join an Official 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb or for the 25th anniversary, every American is invited to climb one flight of stairs to help symbolically finish their heroic climb and honor every firefighter who has made the ultimate sacrifice. Twenty-five years later, we finish the climb together.”
Three Ways to Participate
Join an Official 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. These are the official events, organized by communities and fire departments across America, where participants climb the equivalent of the World Trade Center’s 110 stories.
- Born in a Denver stairwell, 2005
- Official climbs in more than 40 states
It is simple: For Everyone. Anywhere.
Click below and climb one or more flights of stairs, anywhere, capture a photo or video to share your tribute, and challenge others. Together we can finish their climb.
Or share a memory, or a 3.43 mile bike ride, run or walk, however you honor, you make a difference.
THANK YOU!!
Climb One Flight NowSupport the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Fire Hero Families. Your gift honors fallen firefighters, supports their families, and helps ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. The NFFF is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible.
DonateYour Ready-Made Moment
One pattern that works everywhere: the break room, the assembly, the meeting hall, the sanctuary steps, the practice field, the front porch.
The Five Steps
- Announce it: read the 60-second script (right) at your meeting, assembly, all-hands, service, or huddle; put the QR poster where your people gather
- Pick your way: rally the group to an official climb near you, or honor anywhere: the stairwell, the steps out front, a 3.43 mile walk, or a thank-you visit to the firehouse
- Honor together, at every participant’s own pace; those who can’t climb share a memory instead. Every tribute has value
- Share it through forthe343.org and #ForThe343, then challenge others to participate
- Close with the why: every tribute supports the families of fallen firefighters, through the NFFF
The Announcement · 60 seconds, works anywhere
“Before we wrap up, one minute for something that matters. This September marks twenty-five years since September 11, 2001, when 343 firefighters climbed the World Trade Center towers to save others and never came home. Our [TEAM / SCHOOL / POST / CONGREGATION / CLUB / NEIGHBORHOOD] is joining For the 343: climb one or more flights of stairs anywhere, record your flights at forthe343.org, share it, and challenge others. Every flight helps finish their heroic climb. Every tribute supports the families of the fallen. The code is on the poster. We finish the climb together.”
The Post · copy, fill, publish
[YOUR ORGANIZATION] climbs For the 343. Twenty-five years ago, 343 firefighters gave everything. Climb one flight, record it at forthe343.org, share your tribute, and challenge others. Together we finish the climb. forthe343.org #ForThe343
Scan to participate
forthe343.org · Climb. Record. Share. Challenge. #ForThe343
Get Creative: Make For the 343 Your Own
Bring your workplace, faith community, school, neighborhood, or organization together to honor the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives on 9/11 and every firefighter who has made the ultimate sacrifice.
Choose a local landmark or meaningful place with stairs. Climb at least one flight together, capture the moment, and challenge others to help finish the heroic climb of the 343. Honoring heroes is something everyone can get behind.
Ideas to Get Started
Businesses and Agencies
Gather your team to climb before work, during lunch, or as a company-wide moment of remembrance. Challenge your clients, partner agencies, vendors, customers, and neighboring businesses to join the movement.
Faith Communities
Dedicate a moment of remembrance, ring bells, share the story of the 343, and invite members to climb one flight together after services or gatherings.
Amateur and Professional Sports Teams
Bring players, coaches, staff, mascots, and fans together to climb the stadium stairs. Challenge rival teams and their fans to join the movement. If you are honoring firefighters or first responders at a game, invite everyone in attendance to count their flights from game day and add it to the national count at ForThe343.org.
Schools and Youth Groups
Teach students about the courage and sacrifice of the 343, then climb one flight as a class, team, club, or school community. Meet at the stadium at lunch for one all grade climb and count as a group.
Community Organizations
Choose a recognizable local landmark, stadium, park, library, or community center with stairs. Invite your community and local firefighters to climb together.
Gyms and Fitness Groups
Dedicate a class, workout, or stair challenge to the 343. Invite every participant to climb at least one flight and challenge three others.
Neighborhoods and Families
Gather at an apartment building, office, park, local landmark, or any available staircase. One family, one flight, one meaningful act of remembrance.
Make It Meaningful
- Wear red, white, and blue.
- Capture a group photo or video.
- Share your climb through ForThe343.org.
- Challenge three people or organizations to participate.
- Encourage donations to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
No matter the size of your group, every flight counts. Together, we can help finish the heroic climb of the 343.
Get Updates
Stay connected with For the 343. We will send you campaign updates, new resources, and participation milestones as the 25th anniversary approaches.