Several members of the Penhold Fire Department will be participating in the second annual Calgary firefighter stair climb.
“We have three teams of four going to the stair climb this year,” said Charity Tyrer, a Penhold firefighter participating in the event.
Up to 500 firefighters from across Alberta will be participating in the firefighter stair climb on May 1 in Calgary, a fundraiser in support of Wellspring Calgary, a non-profit organization that helps families affected by cancer.
This will be the Penhold Fire Department's first time taking part in the event.
“It's for a good cause and it's something that we can do together,” said Tyrer. “Each person that participates has to raise at least $200.”
To help raise those funds, the Penhold Fire Department is holding a charity bake sale on Feb. 21 at the fire hall in Penhold beginning at 1 p.m.
“We have a few people that have offered to donate a few things. Otherwise, we're going to be doing a lot of baking,” said Tyrer with a chuckle.
The firefighter stair climb fundraiser will see firefighters climb the stairs of The Bow building, currently Western Canada's tallest building.
Penhold firefighters have been busy preparing for the event, noted Tyrer.
“Everyone participating has been going to the gym quite a bit to prepare,” she said.
Firefighters will ascend the 775-foot building and climb 1,204 steps in full firefighter duty gear, said Tyrer. The climb begins at 3,400 feet above sea level, and is the highest elevation stair climb in the world.
Firefighters will also have the opportunity to be timed for the event (wearing their gear), including SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) packs (without air).
“I think it's nice to take on a challenge. It helps you grow too while helping out the community,” said Tyrer.
The charity bake sale begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Penhold Fire Hall.
Charity Tyrer
"We have a few people that have offered to donate a few things. Otherwise, we're going to be doing a lot of baking."
