A Long Beach firefighters union and the city’s Fire Department announced the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor the first responders who sacrificed their lives to save others.
This event will be a community-wide opportunity to honor the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, organizers said.
The inaugural stair climb will take place on Sept. 12, a Saturday, at the Long Beach World Trade Center and will be open to all community members. Registration for the event is now open.
Participants will climb the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center in remembrance of those who gave their lives on 9/11.
“Today is about making a promise,” Lamont Nguyen, president of Long Beach Firefighters Local 372, said during a Thursday, July 2, press conference at the Long Beach World Trade Center. “A promise that here in Long Beach, we will never allow the sacrifice of Sept. 11 to fade into history. For firefighters, Sept. 11 is more than just a date; it’s part of who we are and it’s a reminder of courage, sacrifice and the selflessness that defines our very profession.”
The Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372, in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department, announced the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. A press conference to announce the opening of registration was held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan spoke during the press conference on Thursday, July 2, 2026, announcing the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Charles Hakopian, Long Beach fire captain for Station 1, spoke during the press conference on Thursday, July 2, 2026, announcing the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Long Beach Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan spoke during the press conference on Thursday, July 2, 2026, announcing the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Lamont Nguyen, president of Long Beach Firefighters Local 372, spoke during the press conference on Thursday, July 2, 2026, announcing the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Lamont Nguyen, president of Long Beach Firefighters Local 372, spoke during the press conference on Thursday, July 2, 2026, announcing the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372, in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department, announced the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. A press conference to announce the opening of registration was held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372, in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department, announced the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. A press conference to announce the opening of registration was held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372, in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department, announced the inaugural Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Long Beach World Trade Center. A press conference to announce the opening of registration was held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
All proceeds from the event will benefit two organizations, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation.
Created by Congress to honor America’s fallen fire heroes, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation provides resources to assist surviving families rebuild their lives and works within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths, according to the stair climb event’s website. The foundation’s programs include family support, counseling, scholarships and memorial events.
The FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, meanwhile, provides transportation and support to FDNY firefighters and their families as they continue to battle 9/11-related cancers and other illnesses, organizers said.
“This event isn’t just for firefighters,” Long Beach fire Chief Dennis Buchanan said during the press conference. “One of the reasons we’re so excited to bring this event to Long Beach is because it creates an opportunity for the entire community to participate. Whether you’re a first responder, veteran, student, business owner, athlete or someone simply looking for a meaningful way to honor those we lost, this event is for you.”
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Buchanan added, it is important that the nation continues sharing the stories and lessons of that day, including in Long Beach.
“This stair climb provides an opportunity to honor the past,” Buchanan said, “while helping future generations understand the sacrifice, the resilience, the unity that emerged from one of the most difficult days in our nation’s history.”
There are other ways to participate in the event as well. Volunteer opportunities are available for community members, such as helping with registration and check-in, rehab and hydration, and ceremony support on the day of the event, among other positions.
People can also attend the reception and cheer on those who will climb the stairs.
Sponsors and community partners have helped make the event possible, organizers said, including Dignity Health’s St. Mary Medical Center, the Friends of Long Beach Firefighters Association, Marathon Petroleum, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, and Compass Realty. Local businesses or organizations interested in becoming a sponsor can email info@longbeachstairclimb.com for more information.
Space is limited, organizers said, and they recommend that those interested in participating register early. There will be 500 participant spots for the stair climb, and an additional 800 spots to attend the ceremony and reception without doing the climb. The cost to be a climber is $50, and while attending the reception is $25.
“This event has been many months in the making,” Fire Station 1 Capt. Charles Hakopian said during the press conference. “It simply would not be possible without the incredible partnership between the Long Beach Fire Department, the management team here at the World Trade Center, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and so many others.
“Today marks the beginning of what we hope will become a lasting Long Beach fire tradition,” Hakopian added, “one that honors the courage and sacrifice of the 343 FDNY firefighters, remembers all those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, and brings our community together in remembrance and service.”
To register, volunteer, become a sponsor or learn more about the Long Beach 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, visit longbeachstairclimb.com.