A firefighter carries an American flag during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)
Friday will mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks that shook our nation on Sept. 11, 2001.
Among those who lost their lives that day were firefighters and other first responders who charged into danger to help others.
To honor those brave men and women, the Baltimore City Fire Department and other community members participated in a memorial stair climb at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday.
Participants traversed 110 flights of stairs in the stadium, simulating the 110 stories of the World Trade Center that first responders climbed to save people in need on that fateful day.
Below are photos capturing scenes from the memorial climb, taken by Carl Schmidt of Federal Hill Photography LLC.
Baltimore City Fire Department vehicle, equipment, and bell. Participants ring the bell in memory of someone lost on 9/11. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Security badge and tie belonging to Thomas Smyth, who worked on the 14th floor of the south tower. Smyth escaped the building and survived. These and other items recovered from the 9/11 sites were on display courtesy of the Hope and Peace Foundation. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Bell from the Maryland Rolling Memorial, a mobile memorial to those Marylanders who died on 9/11. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Attendees enter a raffle to support the Fallen Firefighters Foundation, placing their tickets into bags for a chance to win items on display. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)An entry tunnel is decorated for the event. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), worn by Devonte Macklin of the Baltimore City Fire Department, during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)John Peranio, of the Middle River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, is greated by a 6 month old Giant Schnauzer that’s being trained as a crisis response canine. 9/11 Stair Memorial Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Father Evan Ponton, pastor of Saint Leo the Great and Saint Vincent DePaul Churches in Baltimore, MD, delivers a prayer before the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Chief James Wallace, of the Baltimore City Fire Department, delivers remarks before the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Baltimore City Fire Department Color Guard. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)The Catholic High School of Baltimore Choir performs before the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Participants exit a tunnel to begin the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Deputy Chief Dean Denning (L) and Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department observe members of the Baltimore City Fire Department during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Deputy Chief Dean Denning (L) and Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department observe members of the Chestnut Ridge Volunteer Fire Company during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)A firefighter carries an American flag during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Participants climb stairs. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Deputy Chief Mya McConnell (R), of the Baltimore City Fire Department, observes the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department climb stairs. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Stair climb staff member Darsie Lessner (L) greets Renee Good, of Middletown Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)Cards displaying the names and photos of 9/11 victims sit on display for participants to wear during the stair climb. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD on Sept 5, 2026. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography LLC)
