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New Mexico firefighters complete memorial stair climb in 9/11 tribute

More than 100 firefighters climbed Downtown Albuquerque's Washington Federal Building to remember first responders who entered the Twin Towers

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The sound of boots thudding against the stairs reverberated through the Washington Federal Building on Friday morning as firefighters scaled the Downtown Albuquerque structure multiple times.

Wearing their gear, more than 100 firefighters from across New Mexico filled the narrow staircase to honor what first responders went through on 9/11 as they ascended the floors of the Twin Towers in New York City.

Paramedic Amy Abeita was the sole woman from Bernalillo County Fire Rescue to take on the daunting task of climbing the structure鈥檚 22 flights of stairs five times.

It's just all in the spirit of brotherhood and tradition,鈥 she said as she gathered her breath in preparation for the next set of stairs. 鈥淲e鈥檙e coming together through sacrifice and suffering.鈥

Abeita said she was honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to what first responders experienced during the deadliest terrorist attack in American history.

She said the stair climb was a reminder of the oath firefighters take to put others first and protect as many people as possible.

That's what service is all about,鈥 Abeita said. 鈥淏eing selfless and being able to serve others and serve the public in spite of dangers, in spite of your own fear.鈥

Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo climbed alongside her fellow firefighters to honor those who entered the Twin Towers and never returned.

First responders crammed into the staircase single file as they scaled the building. For the first two sets of the climb, their voices could be heard echoing through the stairwell as they encouraged each other to keep going.

Some high-fived each other in passing while others gently pushed into the person in front of them as a sign to keep moving, despite their exhaustion.

Jaramillo climbed at the back of the group with those who began to get winded, reminding them to keep pushing forward. She said she鈥檚 often had to do a sixth climb to ensure that everyone completes the task at hand.

At the top of the 22nd floor, many smacked their hands against the sign that read 鈥淲e will never forget鈥 before heading back down the stairs. 

Crowds of people, including retired firefighter Debbie Brazas, cheered and clapped while thanking the group for their service as the group entered and exited the staircase.

Christian Mee, a firefighter with Albuquerque Fire Rescue, said finishing the ascent was a way to complete the climb that hundreds of firefighters in New York were unable before the towers collapsed.

After he finished the first round of the climb, Mee said it would have been 鈥渇ar worse鈥 for the firefighters on 9/11 as they rushed through the blazing building.

鈥淚t was hotter and you had people running down and they (firefighters) were in full gear,鈥 he said.

Some New Mexico firefighters chose to complete the climb in full gear, carrying a 75-pound pack with a self-contained breathing apparatus mask over their faces.

AFR rookie firefighter Jonathan Saiz chose to don the full set of gear for his first memorial climb.

I鈥檓 trying to simulate the conditions they were in as much as I can,鈥 Saiz said. 鈥淚 feel like it brings you closer to them, closer to what happened, and it's more meaningful.鈥

The dozens of firefighters gathered alongside lawmakers, city councilors, public safety officials and Mayor Tim Keller in Civic Plaza for a ceremony to remember those who are no longer here.

Over 300 sets of firefighter uniforms meant to memorialize first responders in New York lined the firefighters鈥 path as they walked toward the stage. Photos of the fallen firefighters were displayed on the stage in remembrance.