Vancouver firefighters to climb stairs for charity

Firefighters in Vancouver will be out in full force later this month to carry out a plan that pairs two goals: Training for the annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb in Seattle and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For 12 hours on both Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, members of the Vancouver Fire Department will keep the gears on a StairMaster pumping while wearing 65 pounds of protective gear and self-contained breathing equipment.

Firefighters on Feb. 26 will be at the south entrance of Fred Meyer, 2500 Columbia House Blvd. A day later, they’ll set up at the Fisher’s Landing Fred Meyer, 16600 S.E. McGillivray Blvd.

Donations will be collected at both locations.

StairMaster-Schwinn Fitness has already made a $500 contribution.

“Last year, we stepped 110 miles and burned 15,268 calories,” Dan Lawson, a Vancouver firefighter, said in a press release. “We also collected over $9,070, thanks to the generosity of the public. We need them to help us succeed again this year.”

The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, which is the largest firefighter competition in the country, is scheduled March 6 at Seattle’s Columbia Center, the second tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

Teams of firefighters from across the globe race up 69 flights of stairs during the timed event.

Last year, three Vancouver firefighters placed second.

For information, call Lawson at 360-735-5637.