Local firefighters take on cancer

On March 6, firefighters from throughout the Northwest, and indeed the world, will travel to Seattle to participate in the 25th annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb.

The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb offers firefighters the chance to display their physical conditioning by climbing the second-tallest building west of the Mississippi River - the Columbia Tower. At 69 stories, this is a physical challenge that can be quite formidable. Each firefighter is timed and monitored throughout the climb. The climb is performed in full firefighter gear, including SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus, the air tank that firefighters wear to have breathable air when entering hazardous environments, such as burning buildings.

Typical equipment such as boots, fire-resistant clothing, helmet, and SCBA can weigh 50 pounds or more. Each firefighter is checked prior to the climb to ensure that his equipment meets the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is the organization that sets national standards for firefighting equipment and response. If his equipment has been modified and no longer meets the standard, that firefighter is not allowed to climb the building.

Attended by both paid and volunteer firefighters from departments large and small alike, the event is a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to support their research into curing blood cancers. In 2015, the event featured 1,900 firefighters from over 330 different departments and brought in a record $2.2 million for blood-cancer research and patient services.

Cloverdale Fire District's Lieutenant Clinton Weaver said that "from last years' experience, performing this climb at 56 years old was not easy. It was quite a feeling of accomplishment to know that I could finish this climb. It was even more gratifying to know that I could finish in under 30 minutes, and come out somewhere in the middle of the pack of 1,900 firefighters that participated last year, and not dead last. This year's goal is to beat last years' time."

This year the three local fire departments - Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, and Sisters-Camp Sherman - have formed a team called Sisters Country Fire. Firefighters from all three departments will be participating in the event.

As a prelude to the climb, firefighters from the local departments will be participating in a series of fundraisers over the next 40 days. 100 percent of the proceeds from each of these fundraisers go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Participating firefighters each pay their own expenses to participate, including travel, lodging, and meals.

The departments would like to give a special thank-you to Ray's Food Place in Sisters for allowing fundraising efforts in the store.

Cloverdale Fire Chief Thad Olsen said that "the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb exemplifies the teamwork of firefighters everywhere, who always seem to be able to come together in emergencies to help perfect strangers who are faced with seemingly insurmountable problems."

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Roger Johnson said, "Firefighters get into this line of work to help people. Curing disease is something that is beyond the ability of firefighters to achieve. Many of us know persons that have been touched by cancers of the blood. By participating in an event of this nature firefighters are able to do what they want to do most - help people."

Donations can be made at any of the three local fire departments or at www.firefighterstairclimb.org. Click on the "donate" button, then click "team" and enter "Sisters Country Fire" in the search bar.