Fifteen members of the Olds Fire Department (OFD) are planning to participate in the fifth annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge May 5 in Calgary.
As always, the challenge involves firefighters (or others) climbing all 1,204 steps of The Bow building in Calgary in full firefighter gear. That includes the SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus — those big cylinders firefighters carry on their backs at a fire). All that gear can weigh an extra 50 pounds or so.
The Bow is 775 vertical feet high and because it's located 3,400 feet above sea level, organizers say it's the highest elevation firefighter stairclimb in the world and thus attracts competitive firefighters from across the globe.
Participants also try to raise as much money as they can for Wellspring Calgary, which provides support, resources and programs for people living with cancer and those who care about them.
This will be the fourth straight year an OFD team has participated in the event.
The number of OFD members participating has steadily risen. This year 15 are participating, says local event ambassador and organizer Noel D'arcy, a member of the OFD.
For the first time, fire Chief Justin Andrew is joining local stairclimbers and will be the team leader. D'arcy has served as team leader in the past.
"We were ecstatic when he came on board," D'arcy says. "Justin's a good guy; a lot of experience. He has climbed in the past with Red Deer. This year will be the first year he's climbed with us."
Andrew points out he participated in the stairclimb a couple of years ago, but this will be the first time he's done so as chief.
"I am proud to participate with the members of OFD and the multitude of other firefighters from all over Alberta to raise awareness and funds for an organization such as Wellspring," Andrew says.
He admits the climb can be daunting.
"It certainly raises the anxiety level to think about all 1,204 steps, and even more so when you stand at the base of the Bow tower, but as a team we can accomplish anything," he says.
"The great thing about participating this year is that we have a very diverse group of participants from Olds. We have senior members, new recruits and everything in between. Our people are always up for a challenge and it's fantastic to see the level of interest in this event."
As of a couple of weeks ago, local firefighters had raised a total of $6,825 for Wellspring Calgary, well above their target of $5,000 and last year's figure of $5,481. And they still may raise more.
"We've hit 100 per cent of our goal, but we're allowed to go well above 100 per cent of our goal as well," he says.
D'arcy says not only firefighters, but also members of the general public have donated to the cause through social media "and just through word of mouth." Donations can be made via calgarystairclimb.com.
Every participant wants to beat the time they got last year.
"Everyone's trying to better themselves every year. So I mean, as daunting a task as it is, people here are treating it just the same as if we were going to a fire. (We're) putting our gear on, we have a job to do, we're going to get the job done," D'arcy says.
"On May 5th it'll be no different. We're going there to get a job done and we will get to the top -- each and every one of us, with our gear on. And hopefully by the time we get to the top we'll have a smile on our face; whether that be relief, we're just happy to be done, we'll make it."
D'arcy says it's fun for the team to meet firefighters from other departments, some from as far away as New Zealand.
Even though they're competing, they also help each other out.
"Everyone, when you're in that stairwell, you know, you come across some people halfway up, they're not looking so good. You offer some words of encouragement to try and keep them going," D'arcy says. "It's a very positive environment."
Another motivator is the cause, raising money for Wellspring Calgary.
"They are a big supporter of firefighters just because we're like, I think 60 per cent more likely to get some sort of cancer in our lifetime, just based on the nature of our work," D'arcy says. "There are 17 presumptive cancers that are recognized as occupational hazards of a firefighter's job."
He says Wellspring primarily looks after firefighters, but also members of the public affected by cancer.
"It's all in the name of fun and raising funds. No one is profiting from this other than people with cancer, hopefully," D'arcy says.
