Firefighters “Battle” Tower of Stairs to Save Lives

On March 11, 2012, hundreds of firefighters from across the U.S. and Canada worked singlehandedly as one team to “battle” the 69 flights of stairs, racing up 1,311 steps with a vertical elevation of 788 feet to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their fight against these diseases.  The event was held at the Columbia Center, formerly the Bank of America Tower in Downtown Seattle, Washington.

 

Firefighters’ have trained many endless hours on strength and endurance so they can successfully climb the tower of stairs.  It isn’t for these guys and gals ranging in ages from 20-60 from the ranks of Firefighter to Battalion Chief as an easy task by any means.  Racing up these stairs and reaching the observation deck overlooking the City of Seattle is quite an accomplishment in itself, but to watch them in full bunker gear and on air – well, that’s truly amazing.  Risking your lives every day and to put it all on the “line” again at a community fundraiser so others may live is very admirable.  Your training and dedication has paid off!

Here are some of the race results:

Top Overall Males

(1) Andrew Drobeck, Missoula City Fire 10:39; (2) Mark Bertola,       Surrey Fire Dept.  11:49; (3)  Peter Kilga, West Pierce Fire & Rescue 11:51; (4)  Paul Kimball, Spokane Valley Fire Dept. 11:56, (5) Brent Molsberry,  Everett Fire Dept. Local #46 12:03, (6) Ryan Pickering, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue 12:21; (7) Thomas Guttu, Mercer Island Fire Dept. 12:27; (8) Steven Harms, Spokane City Fire Dept. 12:51; (9)  Charlie Schmidt,  Vancouver WA Fire Local #452  12:59; (10)    Tyler Dillmon, Vancouver WA Fire Local #452  13:02.

Top Overall Females

(1) Georgia Daniels, Graham Fire & Rescue 14:49; (2) Michelle Croft, Columbia River Fire & Rescue 16:08; (3) Jacqueline Palmer, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue 16:48; (4) Kara Phillips, South Metro Fire Authority 17:21; (5) Liz Thompson, Portland Fire & Rescue 17:22; (6) Jessi Nemens, Kent Fire Dept. 17:26; (7) Sabine Arnold, Shoreline Fire Dept. 17:42; (8) Maia Earle, Bainbridge Island Fire Dept. 17:54; (9) Tricia Connolly, Bend Fire & Rescue 18:08; (10) Camari Olson, Bellevue Fire 18:51.

Racing Chiefs Results by Time

(1) Stan Engler, Renton Fire & EMS 13:29, (2) Richard Hill, Goshen Fire Dist. 14:46; (3) Pat Dale, Olympia Fire 15:20; (4) Kevin Kalbfleisch, Lewiston Fire Dept. 15:24; (5) Dave Jewett, Port of Seattle Fire 16:02; (6) Allen Kennedy, Tualtin Valley Fire & Rescue 16:56; (7) James Hilliard, Seattle Fire 17:09; (8) Jim Davis, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue 17:20; (9) Sherman  Williamson, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue 17:29; (10) Andrew Rorie, Spokane Valley Fire Dept. 17:34.Other activities included: The Seattle Firefighters & Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums performances and various vendor booths.  It was a great event had by all.

 

Thank you firefighters and Chiefs for what you do for all of us.  We can never say how much we appreciate your dedication, service and being involved in community based events.  Wishing many successes in the future.

Thanks to the Event Organizers, Sponsors, Vendors and Volunteers for your long hours, dedication and making this another successful event!

Great job everyone and be safe out there !

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