Over 1,000 Firefighters from far as away as Alaska to many parts of the U.S. will have joined forces in raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphomy Society and will participate at the 2012 Scott Firefighters Climb up the Columbia Center, formerly the Bank of America Tower.  This is the 2nd tallest building to the West of the Mississippi.  Firefighters in full gear will climb 69 flights of stairs, 1,311 steps up 788 vertical feet to the acclaimed observation deck for a view of the City.

In 2011, over 1,500 firefighters from over 281 Fire Depart-ments gathered together helping to raise $930,000 for blood-cancer and patient services.

Firefighters checking in
Firefighters checking in

2012’s top fundraisers (Teams): Boise FD, Tulatin Valley Fire & Rescue/Local 1660, Local 2878, Nampa FD, City of Buckle FD, Bend Fire & Rescue, Everett FD Local #46, W Pierce Fire & Rescue, Richland FD, Renton Fire & Emergency Services, Spokane City FD, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, South Bay Fire Dist. 8, Boeing Fire, Spokane Co. Fire Dist. 10, Marion Co. Fire Rescue, Great Falls Fire Rescue, Seattle FD, Local 2916 and Stevens Co. Fire District.  (Individuals) Richard Brown, Michael Knopp, James Stranz, Tim Woodland, John Yonkin, Keith  Zeigle, Joe Paterniti, Mark Taylor, David O’Connor, Maia Earle, Jeffrey Nevins, JJ Schwindt,  Brian Yonkin, Jason Poisson, Steve Rodberg, Mike Emerick, Art Weichbrodt, Brett Krache, Matt Gallagher and Ron Hicks.   

Thanks to the many awesome men and women in the fire service for participating in this great fundraiser and fun event for all involved.

Everett Fire's Joe Paterniti and Seattle Fire's Matt Runte

This year’s Honoree is Lilli Skinner-Trippe, a sweet little girl that was diagnosed at eight months with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia.  She has endured quite a bit in her short little life with treatments and fighting to survive.

The 2012 Scott Firefighter Stairclimb has officially sold out.  Battalion listings are on the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb website at http://www.llswa.org/site/DocServer/2012_Battalion_Assignments_For_Web_Last_Name.pdf?docID=2081 by name, department and time.

You all are Heroes through your fundraising efforts and battling this climb.  We are rooting for all to make it to the top!  We wish you Luck!

(Sources: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society page and the Scott Firefighter Climb website).

(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog and (c) 2012 First Alarm Images.