Keizer Firefighters Join Stairclimb Event for Fifth Year

The stair climb takes place each year at the Columbia Center Building in Seattle, Washington. At 788 feet in height, it is the tallest building in Seattle and the second tallest building west of the Mississippi river.

One of Keizer, Oregon's newer fire engines Salem-News.com photo by Bonnie King

(KEIZER, Ore.) - A team of twelve Firefighters from the Keizer Fire District will travel to Seattle, Washington on Sunday, March 8, 2009 to participate in the 18th Annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb.

Fire District Spokesman Jim Trett, says this event, of 1,500 entrants from around the globe, is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world and is a fund raising event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"This is the fifth year that a team from the Keizer Fire District has participated in the event. This year's team includes Jim Simpson and Scott Wildfang, participating in their fourth stair climb. Danver Moody and Greg Biben will be participating in their third stair climb."

Trett says Scott Keniston will make the climb for the second time. Making their first trip to the event are Brian Appel, Jorge Arias, Aric Blankenbaker, Jared Caruth, Jon Crow and Mike Tinker.

Keizer Fire District member Chris James will accompany the group as a support member. This year's team organizer, Jim Simpson, is inviting area residents to support the teams fundraising efforts.

Simpson said that all proceeds from the Firefighter Stairclimb, "benefit the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and melanoma, and improve the quality of life for patients and families."

The stair climb takes place each year at the Columbia Center Building in Seattle, Washington. At 788 feet in height, it is the tallest building in Seattle and the second tallest building west of the Mississippi river.

Participants in the event wear over 60 lbs of firefighting gear such as boots, pants, jackets, gloves, helmet and self-contained breathing equipment while racing up the 69 flights of stairs, or 1,311 steps, to reach the top of the building.

The Keizer team will be joining firefighters from 225 other fire organizations from as far away as New Zealand for this year's event.

Trett says last year's event raised $530,000. Anyone wishing to make a pledge, or a contribution, to the team can mail it to the Keizer Fire District, Attn: Jim Simpson, 661 Chemawa Rd. NE, Keizer, Oregon 97303; or, drop a donation by the Keizer Fire Station Business Office during normal business hours.