Vestavia firefighters participate in 9/11 Stair Climb

Three members of the Vestavia Hills Fire Department traveled to New York City in March to honor fellow firefighters who gave their lives in service on Sept. 11, 2001.

David Koski, Station 3 – Rocky Ridge, and Adrian Millican and Chris Slavich, Station 4 – Liberty Park, were among 343 firefighters from around the world who climbed the 72 floors of World Trade Center 4. Each firefighter wore their full gear, as well as a badge around their neck with the picture and information of a firefighter who died on 9/11.

“The experience was amazing,” Millican said. “I gained a whole new respect for those guys and those people who came together [on 9/11].”

Climbing up 72 flights of stairs was challenging, but Millican completed the climb in just under 17 minutes. He frequently competes in firefighter combat challenges, which include a stair-climbing element.

“At about 50 floors, it got to the point where you had the breathing, the legs, the muscles and the heat inside the suit became a factor,” Millican said. “You had to keep your head down and keep working.”

At the top, Millican said he felt a mixture of awe at the view over the city and relief that he did not have to climb anymore.

“It was pretty surreal to look down and realize you climbed that high,” Millican said.

The three firefighters were in New York City from March 11 to 13. They had the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center, Times Square and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Millican said they also visited the World Trade Center memorial and the observatory in the new One World Trade Center.

“We saw quite a bit while we were there,” Millican said.

Millican said he and his fellow firefighters were glad to have the support of their department to participate in the climb. He said he wants to participate again next year, and is encouraging others at the Vestavia Hills stations to participate in the Stair Climb next year or at least to visit the memorial in New York.

“It’s an amazing experience to go up there and see how they’ve rebuilt around there,” Millican said.