austin firefighters commemorate 9-11 tragedy

For an hour and a half, 18 firefighters walked up and down 108 flights of stairs in the rain while a crowd gathered to watch in silence. Each time the team finished their one lap of climb, they circled around a makeshift memorial dedicated to victims of the fallen towers.

The climb up the six-story training tower, Buford Fire Tower on Town Lake, is a tradition that started five years ago, the day after the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, and has become an annual commemoration service.

On that Tuesday morning four years ago, Lt. Mark Faske had stopped for a water break during physical training when he saw what was unfolding on the news.

"I sat and watched for a moment, and then went out and talked to the cadets about it. We actually watched the towers collapse and the room was absolutely silent," Faske said. "It really reminded us how dangerous the job can be. At any moment we could be in a fight for our lives. We just wanted to set aside this day for the guys who were in the towers and eventually lost their lives."

The climb began on Sept. 12, 2001 with roughly seven cadets in the class. The past four years the fire department has advertised the event and extended the invitation to anyone in the area who is interested. The original class still participates and plans on doing so even if they are the only ones making the climb.

Jerry Cohen, a cadet in training at the time, has been a part of the climb every year.

"Our lieutenant was angry that morning," Cohen said. "He told us to get our gear and start climbing the tower. He said we were going to climb one flight for every floor in the World Trade Center. That was more than any of us had done physically. We really had to push ourselves."

The firefighters ascend and descend the training tower nine times in full gear, which can weigh more than 100 pounds.

"Everyone was touched by the events of Sept. 11th, and we were all feeling what everyone else was feeling. We knew it was something we had to do," Cohen said, "Other fire departments around the country were doing things to commemorate the event, but as far as I know, Austin is the only one that does anything like this."

Before the climb, the participating firefighters suited up in full gear and placed flowers in front of a poster bearing the faces of the members of New York Police Department squad 343.

"We were worried at first when we thought about it falling on a Sunday, but having it on any other day just wouldn't be the same," Cohen said. "People ask us why we do this, and I tell them it is so we will remember. It is about the major losses on that day, but also about the losses we face every day."

As the firemen exited the tower after the final climb the crowd, who had stood huddled under umbrellas and in opened car doors, greeted them with a round of applause and cheers.

"I saw the event on the news and wanted to come out to show my support not only to the Austin Fire Department, but also to all servicemen around the country," spectator Sherry Green said. "Being here and seeing it was more impressive than I expected. I know it isn't much but it makes me proud to support them."

The participating firefighters gathered in a circle after the climb to reflect upon the experience and the significance of the act. The discussion focused on the concept of teamwork and togetherness.

"It is good to be here together as a family," said Carrie Stewart. "It is nice joining my brother in the climb. My first year was the most emotional, but every year it is truly a somber moment."

The firefighters took a break after each third trip by removing their gear, rehydrating and taking time to catch their breath.

"It is almost like we put ourselves in their shoes. It's hot, you're sweating, and I know I'll never experience what they were feeling, but this is as close as I can get," Cohen said. "It really is a sacrifice, but I plan on doing it until I'm not physically able to."