The 2nd Firefihters Stair Climb just took off in Almere. Firefighters from all around Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium took part in the first Firefihters Stair Climb event last year. This year, it is very similar except police and other services can also participate.
The event is put together by the Fire Brigade without Borders foundation. You might have heard their name pop up before while going through news about Ukraine. That is because the foundation had and still is helping Ukraine with volunteer firefighters.
The preparation for the event started early in the morning. As the firefighters, police, first respondents, and families started coming in, I also got excited to experience the event.
I thoroughly loved this vintage firetruck. It is still fully operational and taken good care of. However, it is not used in emergencies.
There were popup foodstalls, gpody bag stalls, and advertising stalls - all from and for fire brigade services. There was also a "brandweer" branded balloon house for the kids.
The event, Firefihters Stair Climb, is held to commemorate the unfortunate historic 9/11. The many lives lost and the numerous firefighters who were the real heroes that day... many of whom didn't make it.
This commemoration, however, is also a sporting event. And which firefighter doesn't love a good competition, right? This event also raises money for the Fire Brigade without Borders foundation that is used for training, equipment, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The event was, is, and most probably will continue to be held in world trade center at Almere. Since it is a commemoration of the event at WTC NY, the foundation decided that holding the eveny at WTC Almere made sense. However, considering the growth of popularity in just 1 year means that next year they might need a bigger place.
The participating firefighters will climb the stairs of WTC Almere, all 30 floors, in full gear. Yes, all 30 floors of stairs in their protective outerwear, gloves, boots, mask, helmet and the tank hanging on their back. The climb is timed and winners are awarded.
Police, ambulance, first respondents, and other departments were also invited this year to participate. So there are two different races. One is the stair climbing for firefighters and a different, much recreational, race for the other departments.
For the year 2023, the foundation raised 25025 Euros during this event, and more donations can be made by either purchasing patches, tshirts, and so on or directly through their website.