INNISFAIL - Local firefighters are now on record for showcasing their skills against the very best and at literally the highest level.
A team of four members of the Innisfail Fire Department, led by fire Chief Gary Leith, were in Calgary on April 29 for the fourth annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge, an event inspired by Seattle’s Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, and Kathy Blas, sister of Calgary fallen firefighter Gord Paul. It was the first time a team of Innisfail firefighters had participated in the event, a fundraiser to support Wellspring Calgary, a charity that provides programs, resources and support to people living with cancer.
The challenge for the 550 participating firefighters from across the province and beyond was to have the fastest climb up the 1,204 steps of The Bow, a 775-foot downtown office tower. Starting at 3,400 feet above sea level, the Calgary event is the highest elevation firefighter stairclimb in the world. And each participant had to do it in full firefighter duty gear, including airless SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).
Leith led his Innisfail team, which included firefighters Eric Peppinck, Cara Cockrane and Devin Riches, with a time of 18 minutes and 30 seconds.
"Of pure pain," said the 52-year-old local fire chief, who concedes he did not train for the challenge.
"Sadly, I didn't. I have to say I didn't do much preparation. I know some of the firefighters did train quite hard for it. I just relied on old age and experience," said Leith, whose respectable time was far behind the ultimate winners who were broken up into three age categories. The fastest time of all was eleven minutes and three seconds from Calgary's Geoff Pyke in the male 18 to 35 age group.
However, the final placing was secondary for each and every participant. The event was all about raising awareness and money for cancer. Event organizers noted there are 16 presumptive cancers that are a recognized occupational firefighter hazard.
When it was all over, the stairclimb raised more than $334,000 for Wellspring Calgary, with Innisfail doing its part by collecting about $2,000. The Olds Fire Department, which entered 11 firefighters, raised $5,400.
"I think it was good for the fire department and for the town, and at the end the charity benefits from it as well," said Leith of his department's first entry into the challenge. "I think every one of us is touched by the disease (cancer) in lots of different ways, so it's always good to support those charities that support people who suffer from that. I like to do those sort of things."
And will Leith and the Innisfail Fire Department do another stairclimb?
"Most defintely, and hopefully we will improve on our times," said Leith.
