OLDS — Thirteen Olds firefighters have signed up to participate in Wellspring Alberta’s 10th anniversary Firefighter Stair Climb Challenge this Sunday, June 9 in Calgary.
The challenge is to for firefighters to climb all 1,370 steps (57 storeys) of Brookfield Place, Calgary’s tallest tower, in modified firefighter gear.
Money raised goes to Wellspring Alberta, an organization that helps people battling cancer.
According to a federal government website, firefighters have a nine per cent higher risk of getting a cancer diagnosis than the general public does, and a 14 per cent higher risk of dying from cancer, due to the dangerous chemicals released during some fires.
Capt. Ben Opheim of the Olds Fire Department (OFD) says he signed up to participate and raise money for Wellspring for several reasons.
“As you may know this is the 10-year anniversary for the Stair Climb Challenge and that cancer is the leading cause of line of duty deaths amongst fire fighters and this event raises this awareness,” he wrote in an email.
“And Wellspring Alberta is an unbelievable organization that supports all Albertans living with cancer.
“This was the motivation to challenge myself to prepare and raise donations for this cause.”
As of June 5, Opheim said Olds firefighters had raised $6,333 this year, putting the OFD in the top 10 of fundraisers “with one week remaining to raise donations. for this great cause.”
Opheim said last year, the OFD won the top fundraising award in both the individual and team category, raising $10,370 and $16,340 respectively.
In addition to Opheim, Olds firefighters participating in the climb this year are qualified officer Nikolaus Nieder, firefighters Drew Williams, Dan Fedyshen, Selina Valencia, Kyle Lytle, George Holdstock, Charles Naval, Geoff Russel, Mike Lipiec, Kelsey Martinez, as well as probationary firefighters Jessica Nabozniak and Ryder Nielsen.
Fedyshen, who will be 49 this year, joined the Olds stair climb team for the first time this year. He says he’s been with the department for close to four years.
During an interview with the Albertan, Fedyshen was asked why he decided to participate this year.
One reason, he said, is his age. He figures he may be the second oldest person in the department.
“I’ve got to keep up with these young guys,” he said. “They're all pretty young.
“And the other reason is I've got several people that in my family, they've passed away from cancer or currently going through cancer, so it's a great cause.”
Fedyshen said a third reason is he enjoys the camaraderie with his fellow team members as they work out to get in shape for the climb.
Fedyshen said they’ve been working out individually and some collectively in the fire hall.
“There's a good set of stairs there,” he said. “You have to do it 68 times up and then with a pack on and I’ve been able to do that.”
Fedyshen said there’s also a little gym where he can work out and simulate climbing stairs. He also exercises at home.
When firefighters put on their full gear, from boots and coat to the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) tank on the back, that can add an extra 45 pounds or more.
Given that fact, Fedyshen was told he must be already in pretty good shape to tackle all those stairs.
“No, I'm not in shape,” he said with a laugh. “That's the trouble. (You) just do the best you can, right? Every little bit of exercise helps.”
In the end, Fedyshen said, in addition to being a good cause, the stair climb and preparations for it are an opportunity for a lot of fun.
“You’ve got to have fun,” he said. “That's all part of life. Life’s far too short.”
