The fifth annual Memorial Stair Climb was held Sunday, as firefighters all around the Midwest took part in the Kansas City event.
The event honors the firefighters who were killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
As with every Memorial Stair Climb, 343 firefighters climbed up to the 34th floor of the Tower Pavilion.
RELATED: Overland Park remembers September 11 during local ceremony
The 343 total symbolizes the number of firefighters killed that day while attempting to rescue those trapped in the Twin Towers.
"Americans have that 'never forget' mentality and the show of support was that you can see all the people around you smiling and having a good time,” said Dave Bova, the event’s coordinator. “We took the extra security measures to ensure everybody's safety and people are coming down to support it. We are going to keep going.”
During the climb, firefighters wore their equipment, along with photos of the firefighters they honored.
"When we go to work, anything can happen at any time,” said firefighter Richard Bull, who volunteered at the event. “You have to go in with the right mindset - that you’re just going to take care of your guys, your people and do your job.”
Event follows arrest of Florida man linked to threat
This year’s event happened just a few days after 20-year-old Joshua Ryne Goldberg was arrested for allegedly plotting to place a bomb at the event.
RELATED: Florida man arrested in plot to bomb 9/11 memorial event in Kansas City
Extra security measures were in place for this year’s event, but details were not released.
Goldburg will be in court on Tuesday and remains in custody of law enforcement.
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