Coglianese /NYRA Photo

Third Annual National Stair Climb for Fallen Firefighters draws hundreds to Belmont Park

by NYRA Press Office

Belmont Park hosted more than 700 firefighters, EMT's, their families and friends for the third annual National Stair Climb for Fallen Firefighters Sunday, organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the FDNY.  

Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 stories through Belmont's grandstand, symbolizing the number of stories in the Twin Towers. During the walk, televisions throughout Belmont's grounds displayed the pictures and names of 334 members of the FDNY who died on September 11, 2001. At the end of the walk, participants rang Belmont Park's winner's circle bell and announced the name of the person for who they were climbing.

"This event not only remembers the firefighters lost on 9/11 and in other tragedies all over the country, but it also helps future firefighters by supporting behavioral health programs, both in New York City and throughout the country," said John Hemsley, FDNY CSU Peer Counselor and one of the organizers.

The event raised more than $100,000 for the FDNY CSU, which offers programs to support the families of the nation's fallen firefighters. Donations are still being accepted. For more information, please visit: http://events.firehero.org/.

"We are excited to see the Fallen Firefighters Stair Climb continue to grow in popularity. Hosting it at a beautiful venue like Belmont Park is a big help. While we just started holding the event a few years ago, I think this is going to quickly become a must attend event for years to come," John Hemsley added. 

In conjunction with the stair climb, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) honored fallen firefighters with five race names on Sunday's race card.