Thursday, 11 individuals with the Nicollet Fire Department, Courtland Fire Department, Lake Crystal Fire Department and Army National Guard climbed these steps 15 times in remembrance of the 343 firefighters killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Climbing the steps 15 times is equivalent to climbing 110 stories of the World Trade Center.

This was the third year in a row POET has hosted a 9/11 remembrance climb. The idea originally came from Nicollet firefighters Peter Finken, who worked at Poet three years ago, and realized the steps of the buildings could work for a memorial climb.

“I had seen other people do these memorial climbs at other venues,” Finken said. “I was working here at POET when I first became a firefighter. I asked my employers if I could try it here, and they said yes.”

Kris Friday, Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) at POET, said the company was proud to host the event, which demonstrated support for firefighters and first responders.

Firefighters from Nicollet, Courtland and Lake Crystal place an American flag at the top of the POET Bioprocessing building after climbing 143 steps the top. The firefighters would climb the building 15 times Thursday in honor of the 343 firefighters lost at the World Trade Center. Kris Friday, the POET’s Environment Health and Safety person assisted with the flag placement on the first climb. L to R: Alec Smith, Brandon Havemeier, Kyle Tauer, Kris Friday, Tucker Horning and Peter Finken.

POET manager Derek Schultz said the company was also a big supporter of veterans, as there were several veterans who worked at POET.

“I think it is a great thing to remember,” Schultz said.

Finken said the terrorist attacks on 9/11 occurred when he was young, but it left a lasting memory for him and inspired him to become a firefighter.

“I like to honor the first-responders who gave everything,” he said. “9/11 was an awful day and tragic and everybody was scared and panicked and running away and these heroes were running to the flames and they kept going up the stairs and when they come back down, they’d turn around went back up again.”

That first year, Finken did the climb, 15 times up and down, by himself, but the next year, he was joined by other members of the Nicollet Fire Department and the Courtland Fire Department. Even more people joined this year.

Nicollet firefighter Peter Finken gets ready for his third 9/11 stair challenge remembrance climb. Finken had the idea to climb the stairs at the POET Bioprocessing facility three years as way to remember the fire fighters lost on 9/11. Climbing the stairs 15 times is the equivalent of climbing the World Trade Center 110 stories.

Lake Crystal Fire Chief David Paul joined the climb this year. This is the second 9/11 climb he has participated in. He had previously completed a climb in the Twin Cities in 2014.

“For those who gave it all, it is the least we can do,” Paul said.

Danny Sheeks has been on the Nicollet Fire Department for almost a year, but said he was happy to be a part of something like this.

Brandon Fluegge, a member of the Army National Guard, also participated in the climb. Fluegge learned of the climb and joined to represent the Army and National Guard.

Fluegge said 9/11 is actually his birthday. He was exactly two years old during the terrorist attack 24 years ago. He said the connection to the date inspired him to join the service.

A Nicollet firefighter climbs the last flight of stairs at the POET Bioprocessing facilities before reaching the top.

During the first climb, Finken led the group carrying an American flag, which was placed on top of the POET building.

Finken said another reason for holding the climb is to unite people.

“We were very united as a country after 9/11 in a way we have not been since,” Finken said. “I hope we can bring that back.”

Going into the climb, every participant knew it would be a grueling climb. Each of the firefighters wore full gear, including boots, jacket and air tank. This added between 60 and 80 pounds of extra weight. Several of the firefighters commented that it was almost harder to come down the steps than go up. It was a testament to what the 9/11 first responders went through in the World Trade Center.

Finken said the trick to making the climb was to take it one step at a time, then one flight of steps at a time.

Courtland and Lake Crystal firefighters make their way back down the stairs during the 9/11 remembrance climb. Coming down the stairs could be hard than going up. In photo L to R: Lake Crystal Fire Chief David Paul, Courtland firefighter Danielle Schlumberger and Courtland firefighter Kyle Tauer.

Finken said the first year he did the climb by himself, it took a longtime. It was just him going up alone. The next year it went quicker with the support of fellow firefighters.

“It is easier when you have guys pushing along,” he said. “But we still take it one step at a time.”

Finken said in addition to remembering the 9/11 first-responders, the event served as a fundraiser for the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. At the start of the climb, he had raised close to $3,800.

A remembrance climb is already planned for 2026. Finken confirmed that even more people have registered for next year.

Nicollet Firefighter Peter Finken leads the way of the POET stairs while carrying the American flag during the first of 15 climbs.

L to R: Firefighter Danny Sheeks, Kyle Tauer, Brandon Havemeier and Peter Finken take a breather at the top of the POET Bioprocessing stairs before heading down again.

In remembrance of the fallen 9/11 firefighters, members of the Nicollet, Courtland and Lake Crystal Fire Departments gather at the POET Bioprocessing outside Lake Crystal to climb as set of stairs to symbolize the 110 flights of stairs in the World Trade Center. Back Row L to R: Brandon Fluegge, US Army National Guard; Kyle Tauer, Courtland Fire; Wyatt Roberts, Courtland Fire and Danny Sheeks Nicollet Fire Department. Front Row L to R: Danielle Schlumberger, Courtland Fire; Roberto Reyes, Nicollet Fire; Brandon Havemeier, Courtland Fire; Tucker Horning, Nicollet Fire; Alec Smith, Nicollet Fire; David Paul, Lake Crystal Fire and Peter Finken, Nicollet Fire.