A moment of silence filled the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on Sept. 11, 2022. Despite the thousands in attendance, you could hear a pin drop. Firefighters clad in full gear—helmets, packs, boots—stood at attention, some holding high the name tags of fallen frontline heroes, those who gave their lives on that fateful day, so that others may live.

This was the Red Rocks 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb held on the 21st anniversary of our national tragedy. At precisely 9:02 am, the time that the first plane hit the Towers, bootsteps began to echo in the Amphitheatre. Bagpipes played as men, women, and children began the trek that is the equivalent of 110 stories in the World Trade Center, symbolizing the heroic journey made by their fallen peers. Not even the span of two decades could dampen the emotion felt by those in attendance ready to make the climb, including California Casualty employees and their families.

When the 9-11 attacks happened in 2001, fearful New Yorkers fled the World Trade Center. Firefighters and first responders headed in the opposite direction—into the danger. Of those heroes who answered the call, 343 did not make it out alive. This day was to remember them and to help the families of other frontline heroes who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) holds these memorial stair climbs nationwide. Proceeds support the families of local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Service Unit.

As an organization committed to protecting first responders, California Casualty is a proud sponsor of these events. We supported 12 NFFF Stair Climbs this year in Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL, Morrison, CO; Dayton, OH; Springfield, MO; Columbus, OH; Imperial, CA; Bishop, CA; Oxon Hill, MD; Scottsdale, AZ; Salina, KS; Tollhouse, CA. Our employees and their families have attended many of these events.

“I wanted to reach out and thank you again for California Casualty’s support of our event,” said Colin Altman at the Gem City, Ohio Stair Climb. “We’ve been working with California Casualty since our first year (2014), and we’re so excited to continue the partnership!”

“Thank you all again for your sponsorship this year,” said Julie Mercer, Marketing Coordinator, Springfield, Missouri Memorial Climb. “It was great seeing you Saturday; thank you for joining us! Thank you also for the wonderful snacks for the climbers, I know they really enjoyed having them. Hope you made it home safe. We hope to see you again next year.”

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Partner Award

California Casualty works hand-in-hand with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and their families. Aside from the annual stair climb events, our sponsorship supports training and education, such as NFFF’s Every Firefighter Goes Home and the Taking Care of Our Own program which help prevent in-the-line-of-duty deaths. And some of our funds contribute to financial assistance for families of fallen firefighters and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are awarded to spouses, children, and step-children of fallen firefighters.

Because of our continued support of the initiatives of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation we were awarded this plaque for our longtime partnership.

Roxanne Dean, Vice President of Partner Relations at California Casualty, accepted the plaque on behalf of the company from NFFF Consultant, Bill Hinton. This award is given to longtime corporate sponsors of the NFFF to show gratitude for their partnership and support of the Foundation and the families of the fallen heroes.

Join California Casualty in supporting the efforts of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation by visiting their webpage at www.firehero.org and by making a donation to help the families who have lost a loved one at www.firehero.org/donate.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.