2 teams from the Lacombe Volunteer Fire Department are set to participate in the Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge in Calgary this weekend, all in support of firefighters and community members fighting cancer.
 
The task, according to Lieutenant Zach Walker is to climb the 55 storey BOW Building at a record pace in full firefighting gear.

“That’s 1204 steps, 775 vertical feet. It’s the highest stair climb in the world actually, just due to the elevation of Calgary as well, so guys that are not from this area, maybe from the coast or we’ve had guys from the States come in and the altitude really affects them as well”.

If you're curious just how fast this feat can be achieved, Walker sheds some light.

“The fastest times that were set were Calgary firefighters. In 2015 a guy did it in 11 mins and 43 seconds which is insane! Our fastest time with Lacombe Fire was actually done by Nick Newbury in 2015 at 14 mins and 44 seconds”.

Lacombe Fire Department’s Team includes Walker, Cole Keiver, and Eric Nicohlas as well as Team WFD, the Wilton family who are also fire department members, Andrew, Matthew, Trevor and Gabi.

Walker says the team is still fundraising for the challenge which was created by Kathy Blas for a great cause.

“Her brother was a Calgary firefighter; he died battling cancer, so her idea was to create this stair climb to raise money for the Wellspring Foundation. It’s a Foundation that helps people out through the tough times of battling cancer, takes some of the stress out of the lives, both financially and in other ways as well”.

The challenge has special meaning for Walker as he competes each year in honour of a close friend that lost a battle with cancer.

Lacombe Fire's teams are still fundraising for Sunday’s challenge, to offer you support visit Stairclimb Challenge 2017 or the Lacombe Fire Department Facebook Page.