BERKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — First responders showed their support for their colleagues by taking on a challenge similar to the one faced by those who climbed the stairs of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Firefighters in Berks County climbed 2,071 steps in full gear as part of a 9/11 stair climb, honoring the first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

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Hunter Hart has been part of the Kenhorst Fire Department for over nine years. He said he joined the fire company when he was 14 years old, continuing a family tradition of service.

“It just shows our community still cares about everything we do,” Hart said.

Hart said the stair climb is challenging, especially while wearing full firefighting gear.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” Hart said. “It’s not something we train for every day. We have a couple of high-rise buildings.”

The stair climb calls for participants to climb 2,071 steps, which is the equivalent of 110 stories while wearing full gear.

Participants climb the equivalent of 110 stories, representing the same number of floors first responders climbed while trying to rescue people from the World Trade Center.

For the firefighters taking part, the climb is one way to honor those who lost their lives and remember the first responders who never made it home.

And one thing the firefighters needed throughout the challenge was water.

Scott Gardner, a manager at Retro Fitness, said the firefighters were going through plenty of water during the climb.

“I’ve got a whole other bucket I’m about to bring up in a second because I know they’ll go through a lot today and all the gear. I did it without gear and I was sweating, so I know they will be,” Gardner said.

More than 300 firefighters died on 9/11.

Gabriel Bitterman with the Mohnton Fire Department said the challenge is worth it to honor those who died.

“Just being able to do this with other companies kind of helps you gain that teamwork with each other, the trust and just kind of keeping each other focused on what we need to do,” Bitterman said.

The Retro Fitness also raised donations during the event. The money will go directly to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.