More than 300 firefighters, police officers, EMTs and military personnel will gather at The Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower on Friday, Sept. 11, for the seventh-annual Tower Climb. The event will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, while honoring the first responders who lost their lives that day.

Participants will ascend 1,455 steps to the top of the tallest observation tower in the U.S., with each climber carrying a lanyard featuring the photo and name of a fallen first responder. The morning will begin with an Honor Guard presentation by IAFF Local 1285 at 8 a.m., followed by the start of the climb at 8:30 a.m.

Las Vegas firefighters will complete the climb in full gear. After reaching the top of the tower, participants will have an opportunity to pause and reflect before gathering at PT’s Wings & Sports for a toast in remembrance of those who died.

First responders can register for $30 per person on The Strat website. All climbers must present a valid driver license and proof of an active fire, police, EMT or military ID on the day of the event. The climb will not be timed, and participants will select their climbing pace during registration. Start times will be staggered, and participants must be able to climb 108 flights of stairs to the top.

Funds raised through the Tower Climb will support organizations including Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports families of fallen and injured first responders and service members; Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, which assists burn survivors and promotes fire prevention education; and Vegas Fire and Rescue Charitable Association, which provides assistance to local firefighters in need.

Since its inception, the Tower Climb has brought together approximately 300 to 400 first responders each year and raised more than $50,000 over the past decade for organizations supporting first responders, their families and burn survivors.