KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Fire Department is welcoming residents to attend both its annual Patriot Day Commemoration ceremony and 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb this Thursday, Sept. 11.

The fire department will first host its Patriot Day Commemoration ceremony at Fire Station #1, located at 613 S. Jackson St., and is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. It will include remarks from Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson, Mayor Lynn Sebourn and City Administrator Jason Quick will be shared, as well as a presentation of the new Patriot Awards for one person from Tullahoma Fire and Police Departments. The ceremony will also feature the ceremonial ringing of a bell on the historic fire engine in a 3-4-3 pattern, symbolizing the 343 lost firefighters. Tullahoma Fire Department has hosted the ceremony to commemorates the 343 New York firefighters, as well as the eight EMTs/paramedics, 60 police officers and the 2,997 civilians, who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers Sept. 11, 2001. The ceremony also serves to remember all first responders lost that day or affected by the attacks.

Following the ceremony will be the fire department’s annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which will take place at Wilkins Stadium behind Tullahoma High School. Sign-ups to participate in the stair climb will go until 8:30 a.m. that morning. Following the end of sign ups will be the stair climb, where the firefighters and climbers will climb 110 flights, or take about 2,200 steps, in five laps around the bleachers.

The climb is the fire department’s tribute what the first responders endured on Sept. 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center fell after two commercial airplanes crashed into the towers by hijackers. Two other commercial airplanes were also hijacked and crashed at the Pentagon and in an empty field western Pennsylvania about 20 minutes by air from Washington, D.C.

“We climb to honor the courage and sacrifice of the 343 firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who gave their lives in service during the attacks on 9/11,” fire department officials said. “This is more than a workout. It’s a moment of remembrance, unity and gratitude.”

Those wanting to participate in the stair climb are asked to visit the TFD Facebook page and scan the QR code on the flyer. Hydration and snacks will be provided by the climbers.

Prior to hosting the stair climb at the high school, the fire department would travel to Nashville to participate in larger stair-climb events with other fire departments to honor their lost brothers and sisters, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation in 2020, the larger events was called off in an effort to keep local firemen and women safer. The lack of the Nashville event did not hinder TFD as then THS Principal Jason Quick offered the stadium to then-Fire Chief Richard Shasteen for the fire department host the inaugural stair climb, which has become an annual event for the fire department. 

Anyone with questions can contact the TFD at 931-455-0936.