Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced today that its seventh annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, in partnership with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, raised over $115,000 with all proceeds directly benefitting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Nearly 2,200 members of the fire service, their families, friends, and community members climbed the steps of historic Lambeau Field on Saturday, September 7 to pay tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who selflessly gave their lives on 9/11.
“The events of September 11, 2001 motivated me, and many others in my profession, to become firefighters and serve our communities,” said Lieutenant Shauna Walesh, firefighter with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. “Over the past seven years, it has been an honor to help build awareness and share the mission of the NFFF, as well as climb alongside so many individuals and teams who come together to show they will never forget.”
The dedicated participants of the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field ascended 110 stories – the height of World Trade Center Towers. Each climber wore a badge with the name and photograph of one of the fallen firefighters. At the equivalent of the 78th floor, the highest floor reached by a firefighter on 9/11, participants stated the name of the individual on their badge and rang a fire bell in their honor.
“It’s important to recognize that no community or fire department is invulnerable to the inherent risks firefighters face each day” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “The work of the NFFF is critically important, and it is an honor to partner with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department each year for a day of remembrance. At Pierce, we’re committed to supporting the fire service beyond the apparatus, and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is just one way we can help maintain programs that support fire service survivors.”
The NFFF honors and remembers America’s fallen firefighters by providing resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives. The organization also works within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. Through support networks, conferences, workshops and scholarships, the NFFF has led a nationwide effort to develop and expand programming for the entire fire service community.
For more information about Pierce Manufacturing, the NFFF, and the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, visit www.piercemfg.com/climb.
About National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization with a Congressional mandate to honor all firefighters who die in the line of duty in the United States. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is the only fire service organization that represents every facet of the American fire service – career, volunteer and wildland. The Foundation has created education and training programs to reduce firefighter deaths. The Foundation has no allegiance to any special interest. For more information, visit firehero.org.
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs more than 15,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Frontline™, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh® Airport Products, CON-E-CO® and London™. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.
