NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Felicia Belisle, 27 of Savoy, climbed 220 flights on a stair machine in full firefighting gear, paying tribute to firefighters lost during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

 

Monday, Sept. 11, was a normal day for many in Planet Fitness looking to get in an early workout but among the joggers, Belisle was starting a much more difficult workout. 

 

She hoped others took notice.

 

"I want to make sure these people are never forgotten and 9/11 is never forgotten," she said through labored breaths. "I want to remember all of the firefighters."

 

The stair climber was taped off with a note indicating that the machine was reserved starting at 9:03 a.m. — the moment when the second plane, Flight 175, struck the South Tower.  

 

Belisle said her father is a firefighter and firefighting has always been of interest to her and a part of her life.

 

"Ever since I was born my father was a firefighter, and it has always been something of importance to me," she said. "I had this idea, and I knew I had to do it."

 

Belisle wore her father, Dave's, turnout gear. When iBerkshires spoke with her, she had completed 19 flights; she later posted on Facebook that she had climbed 220 flights by the end. 

 

Belisle said she was 3 or 4 when 9/11 happened. Although the details from the day are fuzzy, they have stuck with her. 

 

"I remember seeing it on TV and not really understanding what was going on but being scared," she said.

 

Belisle, who was giving shorter answers as she continued her climb, said the workout itself wasn't bad but the heat was the real challenge. The heavy turnout gear was not the breeziest even in an airconditioned, ventilated room.

 

She only could imagine what it was like for firefighters who summited the burning World Trade Center. 

 

Belisle said no one had spoken to her or asked questions yet. But she wanted people to remember and she hoped her actions caused some reflection amongst gym goers.

 

"It seems like year after year people think about it less and less, and I don't want people to forget," she said.