COLUMBIA, Mo. –  Tim Hartz, instructional support associate with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI), participated in the Missouri Division of Fire Safety Stair Climb on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Jefferson City.

Various organizations across the country hold stair climbs to honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. The Missouri Division of Fire safety hosted the memorial event at the Jefferson Office Building in the state capital. The event also raised money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which provides assistance to the families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. More than 150 people from across Missouri participated in Sunday’s stair climb, including Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and State Fire Marshal Tim Bean.

Each participant climbs the equivalent of 110 stories while wearing a picture nametag commemorating one of the firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks. Hartz carried six of his fallen brothers with him: Michael Montesi, Rescue 1; Andrew Desperito, Engine 1; Gary Box, Squad 1; Ronald Bucca, Manhattan Base; William Lake, Rescue 2; and Andrew Brunn, Ladder 5.

“It was a privilege to climb for the fallen firefighters of 9/11 and help raise funds for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation,” Hartz said. The funds collected from this event will aid survivors and help reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.

Hartz is also a volunteer firefighter with the Boone County Fire Protection District.

MU FRTI was one of the sponsors of the event. MU FRTI is a unit of MU Extension and is charged with providing comprehensive continuing professional education training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. The Institute provides training to approximately 13,000 fire and emergency service first responders each year.