2020 SD911MSC FAQs

Why is SD911MSC Virtual this year? - This year, our event will be virtual in accordance with CDC, State of California, and San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines for large scale events. This is how we are "allowed" to produce this event, not how we "want" to produce this event. Our event is not cancelled, it's just different than what you have been used to for the past 9 years. Change is okay. Honoring the lives lost on 9/11/01 and raising awareness and support of FirefighterAid and our work is more important now than it has ever been! That is all there is to it. Next year, we plan on climbing those sweaty stairs together, cheering each other on and being united as one in person.

Do we still need to fundraise? - Yes. The SD911MSC has been and always will be the annual fundraising event for FirefighterAid which is a nonprofit. Fundraising is highly encouraged and greatly appreciated. Every year, we ask that each participant fundraises at least $110 - $1 for every flight of stairs they climb.

Do I still get to choose the name of a fallen hero to climb in honor of? - Yes. This is one of the most important details of our event is to finish the climb that all those heroes began on 9/11/01 and were never able to finish. We ask that you do your virtual climb wearing their name and, in their honor, so that we all will NEVER FORGET.

Will there still be Honor Teams this year? - Absolutely! Our top fundraising teams make the biggest impact on our goal and raises the bar for FirefighterAid's programs and services.

How do I know if I am climbing 110 flights of commercial stairs? - We've done the math for you. 110 flights of commercial stairs works out like this, 20 steps is equal to 1 commercial story. So, if you climb, hike, run, bike or walk the equivalent of 2,200 steps you've made it.

Will I get my t-shirt and lanyard before I climb? - Yes. When you register you will select your ticket type, you have the option to PICK UP MY PACKET or to SHIP ME MY PACKET. If you choose "PICK UP MY PACKET," our climb crew will reach out to you by email to coordinate your packet pickup at one of our locations across San Diego County. This will take place the week before the SD911MSC. If you choose "SHIP ME MY PACKET," we will mail you your packet a week before SD911MSC, so you have it when you're ready to climb. We will not be able to accommodate changes between shipping and self-pickup, so please choose your ticket accordingly when registering.

Will there still be an opening ceremony? - Yes. On 9/11/01, we promised to NEVER FORGET. We're working on creating a virtual opening ceremony to keep the integrity and spirit of the SD911MSC and to honor the memory of the fallen 403 heroes. We can't all be together while we climb this year, but we can be together in the way we keep up the tradition of our event. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on more details coming soon.

What about the Beer Garden? - We're doing our best to deliver you a beer & cheers component of our event this year. As soon as we have it sorted out, we will share the details with you.

Is this donation tax deductible? Just like in previous years, your registration fees are not tax-deductible. The fees go towards the event production. All donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law as FirefighterAid is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your donation email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Where does the money go? Funds raised benefit FirefighterAid, San Diego based 501(c)(3) that provides charitable assistance to Firefighters and families in crisis and promotes awareness of Firefighter health and safety issues and the impacts they have on their families and communities.