ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ — August 6, 2026 — On September 12, 2026, members of the Andover Township Volunteer Fire Department will participate in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at MetLife Stadium in remembrance of the firefighters, EMS professionals, law enforcement officials, and citizens who perished in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The department is requesting funds from the community to assist its squad and announced the intended participation on August 6.

In order to symbolically replicate the effort made by FDNY firemen who scaled the World Trade Center buildings while performing rescue operations, the stair-climb concept is utilized during 9/11 memorial ceremonies. The height of the towers is represented by the 110 storeys that many stair climbs require participants to reach.

The Andover Township team is using the event to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while also supporting organizations assisting the families of those killed and first responders affected by the attacks, according to the department.

For firefighters, memorial stair climbs also provide a physical component to the remembrance. Participants commonly complete the climb in turnout gear or other firefighting equipment, adding weight and heat stress to an already demanding endurance event.

The 2026 event comes during the 25th anniversary year of September 11, when fire and EMS organizations around the country are holding memorial climbs and other events to remember the 2001 attacks.