ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Of the 2,977 people who died during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, 343 were firefighters. Albemarle County and Charlottesville firefighters came together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We need to make sure that this lives on,” said Suzanne Herndon, a firefighter with the Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue.

The annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Monticello High School gave local fire departments the opportunity to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001.

“Folks that we have that are with the departments now weren’t even born when 9/11 happened. So it’s really important for us to come together as a community of departments and remember these first responders,” added Herndon.

Community members, firefighters, and police officers climbed more than 70 flights of stairs, which is the estimated amount firefighters climbed while rescuing people from the Twin Towers in New York City.

During the climb, the community paused to remember those they are honoring, at 8:46 a.m. and at 9:03 a.m.

“It’s very important that we don’t forget them, and we don’t forget the first responders who are still dealing with mental health and physical health issues,” added Herndon.

With the names of the firefighters who passed during the attacks around their necks, this added a special touch to the event, showing that these heroes will never be forgotten.

“I hope that we take away community, because it’s very important that we all come together and remember,” said Herndon.