On Friday morning, more than 200 Tulsa-area first responders participated in the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb. This year carried a different weight with the marking of 25 years since the largest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history.
Local first responders climbed 110 stories at downtown Tulsa’s First Place Tower to honor the 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers and eight emergency medical technicians who lost their lives that day. In total, nearly 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and prayer. Then first responders entered the tower while bagpipes played in the background.
Proceeds from the event went to the nonprofit Hydrants of Hope, which supports children suffering from cancer.
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters enter First Place Tower during the 9/11 memorial stair climb in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters enter First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters enter First Place Tower for the 9/11 memorial stair climb in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters participate in the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters participate in the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters participate in the 9/11 stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters rest during the 9/11 stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters rest during the 9/11 stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters prepare for the 9/11 stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A Tulsa Fire Department helmet is photographed during the 9/11 stair climb at downtown Tulsa First Place Tower in downtown on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A firefighter enters First Place Tower for the 9/11 memorial stair climb in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Firefighters listen during the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa Fire Capt. Joey Marshall prays during the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Luke Moseby looks up at his dad during the 9/11 memorial stair climb at downtown Tulsa’s First Place Tower in downtown on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Abraham Montes rests during the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A firefighter looks up at an American flag during the 9/11 memorial stair climb at First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. This year marks 25 years since the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
A bagpipe player stands during the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
City of Tulsa Pipes and Drums Band play bagpipes at the beginning of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa-area first responders participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the First Place Tower in downtown Tulsa on Sept. 11, 2026. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs each year to honor the lives lost during the terrorist attack. Credit: Molly McElwain / Tulsa Flyer
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