Climb, conquer, cure: community propels firefighters to fundraiser
Nicole Tavenner
Chris McGuinness works his core while Julie Sisler climbs the stairs to train for the fundraiser.
Nicole Tavenner
Blake Holman
Nicole Tavenner
James McKee
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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POLSON — Last year, 1,800 firefighters, including a team from Polson, came from across the northwest to climb 69 flights of stairs in full fire gear at the Columbia Center in Seattle. The fundraiser helped raise $2.2 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A team of five men and one woman will represent Polson in this year’s 25th annual event.
Polson’s bravest participating on March 6 include Pete Bishop, Blake Holman, Matt and Julie Sisler, James McKee, and Fire Chief Clint Cottle.
This will be the fifth year that Polson has had firefighters attend the Leukemia and Lymphoma’s annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. The Fire Department began going in honor of cousins Bella Allred and Bridger Stupack who were diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma a couple of years ago; the group hasn’t stopped since.
The event takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Participants must climb 69 flights of stairs, covering 1,311 steps that rise 788 feet of vertical elevation to the top of the Columbia Center. The center is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. The race is completed wearing full structural gear including boots, pants, coat, helmet, gloves, and a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), with a bottle of oxygen that is exchanged out halfway through the race.
“It’s hot, it’s intense. You’re wearing 45 pounds of equipment and breathing through a SCBA. The energy inside the building is insane,” Pete Bishop said. Bishop is the team captain.
The record for the race was set last year by a Missoula firefighter in 11 minutes. Blake Holman set the record for the Polson group last year in 20 minutes.
“It’s the shortest Disneyland trip for adults. It’s a great time, a great cause. People come from all over the world to attend,” Holman said.
A record 1,900 firefighters are expected at the event this year. The event is so popular that sign-ups are filled up 15 minutes after registration opens.
The group uses the fire department’s gym to keep in shape. Specifically they use the Cross Fit regimen and also a stair climber to prepare themselves.
All participants must raise $300 each to compete, as well as an $80 registration fee. The group has raised more than $18,000 the past four years, including $4,600 this year. The firefighters have had multiple fundraisers, which have included hauling a stair step to Walmart and climbing it in full gear for all to see. They also had a fundraiser Friday at MacKenzie River Pizza in Polson, where the firefighters bussed tables, made soda drinks and talked to folks about the event.
“Polson has been great to the cause,” Bishop said.
