The Kelowna Fire Department hiked up Knox Mountain for the sixth annual Kelowna 9/11 Stair Climb. 

The event, held on Sept. 11 each year on the anniversary of the deadliest terror attack in American history, is held in honour of the 343 firefighters who died that day in 2001 while helping save the lives of others. 

Dozens of firefighters and other first responders along with members of the public gathered at Sutherland Park at 11 a.m. for a few brief speeches, a moment of silence and the 3.5 kilometre climb. 

KFD Deputy Fire Chief Larry Watkinson spoke to the crowd.

"To climb is more than just a physical thing for us today, it's a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. Each step we take honours their memory, their bravery and their enduring legacy. We climb today because they climbed first."

KFD Prevention Officer Paul Johnson has participated each year and knows first hand the emotions of losing a colleague. 

"Captain Joe Kolar passed away a few years ago. Joe was a friend to everybody," Johnson said as he got emotional. 

Kolar died in 2019 from lung cancer caused by his 30 year career in firefighting. 

"It's a sincere tragedy to lose one person, let along 343 people."

The event also served as a fundraiser for the Kelowna Firefighters' Charitable Society.