Crew off to New York to retrace 9/11 fireman's steps

Firefighters wearing full equipment will retrace the 5km (3 mile) route of an off-duty "colleague" who died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Six serving members from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue (CDDFRS) Service, and eight retired firefighters and their families, will join about 40,000 others in New York City on 27 September.

They will take part in the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, which follows the path FDNY Stephen Siller took from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the WTC on foot.

It is "important" to remember Siller who "ran in the opposite direction to everyone else" to save lives," Jamie Smith, High Handenhold Fire Station watch manager, said.

Smith, who has taken part in the challenge 12 times since 2013, said Siller's story still "hits home so much" to him and the team, who share the same frontline role.

"It's really an emotional day, it's so hard-hitting realising how may people are there to pay respects, take part and follow Stephen's footsteps that he did that day," he said.

The crew are expecting poor weather, however conditions will feel hot inside their uniform, which adds about 2.5kg (5.5lbs) in weight.

Paul Bainbridge, crew manager at CDDFRS, said each firefighter from the service will wear a full kit, which includes a helmet, tunic and over trousers but will swap boots for trainers.

"It's a bit like the Great North Run," he said.

"The streets of New York are lined with serving firefighters with pictures of people who died in the disaster."

Bainbridge, who took part in the event for the first time last year, said he tried not to, but ended up in tears, adding he was returning as he wants to "show his support".

The group are raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which provides care and mental health support, and advice, to crews and their family.

"Twenty five years have past since 9/11, there's people now who don't know anything about 9/11.

"It's so important to not only let people remember but show the positive work that the fire service does in the UK as well as America," Smith added.