Williams Lake Fire Department

09/07/2026

343.

It is a number that has carried a profound meaning within the fire service for 25 years.

On September 11, 2001, 343 members of the Fire Department of the City of New York lost their lives responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.

They were firefighters, officers, chiefs, paramedics and a fire chaplain. They came from firehouses across New York City and responded that morning knowing thousands of people needed their help.

They climbed while others were coming down.

In the years since, firefighters across North America and around the world have climbed stairs in their memory. The tradition represents the ascent made by FDNY members inside the World Trade Center towers and the journey that 343 of them were unable to complete.

Twenty-five years later, a generation has grown up with no memory of September 11, 2001.

But we remember.

We remember the 343.

We remember the police officers and other first responders who answered the call.

We remember the thousands of innocent people who went to work, boarded an airplane or began an ordinary September morning and never returned home.

And we remember those who have continued to suffer, and those who have lost their lives in the years since as a result of their response that day.

This Friday, members of the Williams Lake Fire Department will once again climb.

This year, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, we invite our fellow first responders and our community to climb with us.

Friday, September 11, 2026
Williams Lake Fire Department | 230 Hodgson Road
Honour Guard March | 8:30 AM
Community Memorial Climb | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

343 names. 343 ascents.

WE CLIMB. WE REMEMBER. WE HONOUR.

#343

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

WHY WE CLIMB.

These stairs are familiar to our firefighters. They’re part of our training, and in recent years, they’ve also become part of how members of the Williams Lake Fire Department remember.

On September 11, 2001, 343 FDNY firefighters lost their lives while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Each year, firefighters across North America climb in their memory, honouring the 343 who answered the call that morning and never came home.

This year, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, we’re inviting our fellow first responders and the Williams Lake community to climb alongside us.

Our goal is to complete 343 ascents of the WLFD hose tower, totaling 17,150 stairs.

But you don’t have to climb 343 times.

You can climb once.

One trip up the tower. One contribution toward our community total. One small act of remembrance.

Climb once, twice, or as many times as you’re comfortable with. Every ascent counts.

While our climb honours the 343 FDNY firefighters, we remember all those who lost their lives on September 11, the first responders who answered the call, and those whose lives were forever changed in the years that followed.

You don’t have to be a firefighter to climb. You just have to remember.

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
📍 Williams Lake Fire Department | 230 Hodgson Road

8:30 AM | Honour Guard March
9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Community Memorial Climb

Participation in the tower climb is voluntary, and all participants use the stairs at their own risk. Please climb within your own abilities and comfort level.

343 names. 343 ascents. One community.

WE CLIMB. WE REMEMBER. WE HONOUR.

#343

09/02/2026

The City of Williams Lake has lifted its campfire ban within City limits.

The decision follows guidance from the Cariboo Fire Centre, improved weather conditions and increased firefighting capacity across the region. While campfires are once again permitted, residents are reminded to use caution and ensure fires are fully extinguished when finished.

Read the full release at:
https://www.williamslake.ca/m/newsflash/home/detail/998

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

Annnnnnddddd… just like that, another Ladder 11 operator was born.

08/31/2026

25 YEARS LATER. WE REMEMBER. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

In recent years, members of the Williams Lake Fire Department have made it a tradition to climb the stairs of our hose tower on September 11 in remembrance of the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

This year marks 25 years since that day.

For this milestone anniversary, we are opening our memorial climb to our fellow first responders and the Williams Lake community, inviting you to climb and remember alongside us.

Together, our goal is to complete 343 ascents of the WLFD hose tower, one for each of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.

You don’t need to be a firefighter, and you don’t need to complete a certain number of climbs. Whether you climb once or as many times as you’re able, every ascent counts toward our community goal.

While our climb honours the 343 FDNY firefighters, we also remember all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, the first responders who answered the call, and those whose lives were forever changed in the years that followed.

This is a day of remembrance, reflection and community, and we invite Williams Lake to join us.

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
📍 Williams Lake Fire Department | 230 Hodgson Road

8:30 AM | Honour Guard March
Join us as we open the day in honour and remembrance.

9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Community Memorial Climb
Join us anytime during the climb and help us reach 343 tower ascents. Complete one ascent or as many as you’re able. Every ascent counts.

Please note: Participation in the tower climb is voluntary, and all participants use the stairs at their own risk. We encourage everyone to climb within their own abilities and comfort level.

Throughout the day, the public is also welcome to tour our apparatus, meet members of the Williams Lake Fire Department and Honour Guard, and join us for a BBQ. BBQ proceeds will support the WLFD Honour Guard.

343 names. 343 ascents. One community.

WE CLIMB. WE REMEMBER. WE HONOUR.

#343

08/28/2026