Bristol Airport Firefighter takes part in Epic stair climb to commemorate 9/11
By Community Correspondent
A Bristol Airport firefighter is heading to Atlanta this weekend to take part in an emotional stair climb marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Firefighter Lexi Grant will be one of 343 firefighters taking part in the Terry Farrell Memorial Stair Climb at Atlanta Braves stadium on Saturday 5 September.
The challenge will see the firefighters climb the equivalent height of the World Trade Centre towers, which stood at 110 floors.
They will repeatedly walk up and down the stadium stairs while wearing their full firefighting kit.
The 343 participants will each wear a name badge representing one of the firefighters who lost their life in the attacks on 11 September 2001.
Lexi will be representing the Bristol Airport Fire Team. She said:
“It’s a real honour to take part. Each of us will be wearing a name badge that represents one of the 343 fire fighters who sadly lost their life in the tragedy. The event honours their courage and continues to unite fire fighters around the world and is a mark of solidarity.
We’ll be climbing the equivalent height of the Twin Towers, which was 110 floors, by walking up and down the open-air stadium stairs in full fire kit just like the New York fire fighters did that day.”
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The climb is named after Terry Farrell, a veteran and highly decorated firefighter who served with New York’s Rescue 4 division during the attacks.
Lexi has been preparing for the challenge by training on a stair master while wearing her full kit, as well as walking on a treadmill at an incline. She has also been continuing her triathlon training.
“Full kit weighs about 10kg so it’s going to be a fitting physical challenge on my 5ft 3 inches frame, but my triathlon training has certainly helped get me in shape.”
The links between the Bristol Airport and New York fire teams go back to the aftermath of 9/11.
Lexi, who has worked as a firefighter at Bristol Airport for eight years, said the connection began when a now-retired Bristol Airport firefighter contacted a colleague in one of the New York fire departments.
“After the terrorist attack, a now retired firefighter from Bristol Airport reached out to a colleague in one of the New York Fire Departments and shortly afterwards some of the team went out to visit. Then the following year some of the fire teams came to Bristol for some rest and recuperation, which included visiting the local area.
Since then, our fire teams have formed a strong bond. We soon realised quite a few of the firefighters enjoyed playing golf, so in 2005 we decided to hold a bi-annual golf tournament, which we fondly named the Cyder Cup. And we’ve kept this tradition going ever since.”
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That friendship will continue this month, with a group of current and retired Bristol Airport firefighters travelling to New York for the 25th anniversary memorial on Friday 11 September.
Planning Resilience Co-Ordinator Tony Smith, Sub Officer Carl Bailey, Leading Firefighter Antony Nash and Firefighter Craig Bailey will be making the trip, along with some retired firefighters.
After the memorial, the group will head to Atlantic City to take part in the latest Cyder Cup.
The Terry Farrell Memorial Stair Climb is also raising money for charities supporting firefighters and their families in the US and UK.
Funds will support the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides support to UK firefighters and their loved ones, as well as the Blue Light Card Foundation, which supports people across the NHS, emergency services and armed forces communities.
Lexi's challenge in Atlanta will be one of many events taking place this September as firefighters and emergency service communities come together to remember those who lost their lives 25 years ago.
