OLDS — Local organizer Noel D’Arcy is pleased with how Olds firefighters did in this year’s annual Firefighter Stair Climb Challenge.
The seventh annual event raises money for Wellspring Calgary, which provides support, resources and programs for people living with cancer and those who care about them.
In previous years, the challenge has involved firefighters climbing all 1,204 steps (774 vertical feet) of the Bow Tower 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.
However, this year and last year, the rules changed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants could climb anywhere they wished from May 2-15. But they were required to climb the same number of stairs as Bow Tower and firefighters still had to climb in full firefighter gear.
Another new wrinkle this year is that members of the public could participate as well, although they of course didn’t need to wear all that firefighter gear.
This year, the six-member Olds Fire Department (OFD) team raised $2,710. In total, all teams raised $154,661. Donations can still be made at calgarystairclimb.com.
Five climbers climbed at assigned stairs in Red Deer's Heritage Ranch. These climbers were firefighters Sam Lutz, Christal Raven, Mike Lipiec, Mike Harris, and Corey Piller. D'Arcy climbed assigned stairs at Edgemont in Calgary.
Each team member climbed 54 stories, which D’Arcy says is the equivalent of the Bow Tower. They were supported by close family members and maintained social distancing.
This year OFD team members completed their stair climbs in the 25-to-32 minute range.
“For the size of the team we had climbing stairs this year, it was on par with recent years for donations which is fantastic to see in the middle of a pandemic,” D’Arcy wrote in an email.
“Wellspring's motto is raising awareness and providing support to firefighters and all citizens living with cancer. This motto is definitely what all firefighters did this year throughout the province, including the OFD team.
“Despite social distancing and climbing individually, our team kept in contact virtually to keep each other motivated. The hope is next year we will all gather and once again climb in the Bow Tower.”
