Climbing for First Responders, in the 4th annual Hero Climb

ROCKFORD, Ill (WTVO) — Remembering and honoring those who lost their lives 24 years ago, in the World Trade Center Attacks.

That was one portion of the 4th Annual Hero Climb on Sunday at Guilford High School. The other, was to promote mental health especially for first responders.

“We were trying to find a way to bring awareness towards mental health needs for first responders in the area,” explained Adrienne Shindledecker, the digital and event coordinator for Mid-West Family Broadcasting. “So we partnered with the Greg Lindmark Foundation and decided that we were doing a 9/11 centric event to honor the fallen from the World Trade Center in 2001.”

There were over 100 individuals who participated in the Hero Climb. The event is designed to simulate the 110 stories that first responders climbed on 9/11. Included were firefighters from multiple agencies, all of them doing the climb in full turnout gear.

“Just seeing somebody go up and down the stairs with their gear on really, I think, solidifies what they were doing the day of that tragedy,” said Shindledecker. “It really gives you a full picture of what that could have looked like, would have looked like in the Towers on that day.”

Each participant also grabbed a lanyard from the memorial wall, recognizing someone who lost their life during 9/11. Allowing everyone to learn their story, as well as draw strength knowing they are not just doing the climb for themselves.

“About halfway through, your legs are shaking, you can’t breathe,” said John Austin, a volunteer firefighter from Hillsdale Fire Protection District. “You take a rest then you remember what you’re wearing. As soon as you put one of these things on, it tells you about somebody who did it for real. Gives you a little more motivation to go up those stairs”

“It’s such an honor just to climb it for someone that unfortunately did not make it out of the 9/11 attack and did everything they could, but unfortunately they didn’t get to go home to their family,” said Austin Reidl, a probationary Firefighter and paramedic from Sycamore Fire. “It’s such an honor just to come here and climb for them and honor them in a way that we can.”