The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) is sponsoring two important events during the Congressional Fire Institute's 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars program. The 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb and the NFFF Town Hall Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC.

The 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb, sponsored by NFFF and CFSI, honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in their efforts to save others. Participants will be placed in teams of five. Each team member will climb 11 stories twice to equal 110 stories, representing the number of floors in the Twin Towers. The climb is not a race and participants can wear either their turn-out gear (no SCBA's), station gear or work-out gear. All participants will receive a photo and badge of one of the fallen heroes of September 11th to carry with them. The registration fee is $25 and all proceeds will benefit the NFFF. This is one of several stair climb events occurring this year to remember the FDNY firefighters.

At 3:00 pm on Wednesday, the Foundation's Town Hall Meeting will bring together leaders in the fire service to discuss the PSOB program, which is administered through the Department of Justice. Information about how the NFFF can support a department when a line-of-duty death occurs will also be presented.

"We are very pleased to offer these two unique events at this year's CFSI meeting," said Chief Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. "The 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb is a tremendous way to honor those heroes by completing the symbolic climb that they could not finish. And we hope that the Town Hall Meeting will help attendees do all they can to make sure their departments are familiar with the resources available so that if this unfortunate event happens to one of their own they are better prepared," he said.

Fourteen survivors of fallen firefighters who have been honored on the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial will be the special guests of the Foundation at the conference's annual dinner on Thursday, April 7. The evening's theme, "Remembering Honor, Courage and Sacrifice," will feature addresses from the leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and award presentations for fire service leadership.

"We want the families to know the legacies of their loved ones are remembered by so many in the fire service, and inviting them to be our guests at this event is just a simple gesture we can offer to show our support," said Siarnicki.