2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks—a day that forever changed our nation and the public safety community.
To honor the memory of the 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and thousands of civilians who lost their lives, the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association is inviting Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, and Jail teams across Minnesota to take part in a statewide 9/11 Stair-Climb Challenge.
The challenge commemorates the heroic efforts of first responders on 9/11 by climbing the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs, representing the number of floors in the World Trade Center towers.
Our Goal
To show the Unity, Strength, and Accomplishment of Minnesota’s public safety community by having agencies across the state participate in this meaningful tribute.
How Agencies Can Participate
Each agency is invited to:
• Complete the 110-flight stair climb sometime leading up to or on September 11, 2026
• Conduct the climb within your own county (courthouse stairs, training facilities, stadiums, fitness centers, etc.)
• Participate individually or as a team event within your department
• Share photos or videos of your team completing the challenge
Participating agencies will be invited to submit their photos and videos to the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association so we can highlight departments from across the state honoring this important anniversary.
Training Starts Now
We are announcing this challenge six months in advance to give participants time to prepare and train.
Whether you complete the climb all at once or as a team effort, the goal is to come together across Minnesota to remember, honor, and support one another.
More information on participation and submissions will be shared in the coming months.
We hope departments across Minnesota will join us in this powerful tribute.
Minnesota 9/11 Stair-Climb: 110 Flights. One State. Never Forget.
If you, or any of your staff members, would like to participate, please have them send me their name and county. (I am only collecting names to track the total number of people participating.) Please also send any photos/videos to me so we can update our Social Media sites!