Seven Shoreline firefighters complete the Scott Stair Climb

 On Sunday, March 7, a 27 year-old firefighter from Missoula, Montana, in fifty pounds of gear, including breathing apparatus, climbed the 69 flights of stairs (1,311 steps) to the observation deck of the Columbia Center. He did it in 11 -1/2 minutes, followed by 1554 of his compatriots who came from as far away from New Zealand to participate in the event.

So many firefighters wanted to participate in the Scott Stair Climb event that registration had to be capped at 1550. The Columbia Center in downtown Seattle is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi.

Seven Shoreline firefighters, aged 27 to 57, made the climb: Mark Peterson, Brett Defenbaugh, Steve Anderson, Scott Kim, Andy Morehouse, Jared Linke, and Andy Holstad.

Shoreline Fire spokesperson Melanie Granfors said that "The Shoreline team will be climbing in honor of Theron Gibb, father of Shoreline Fire’s Captain Bryan Gibb. Theron, a retired Seattle firefighter is currently battling leukemia. The Shoreline team also climbs each in honor of cancer survivor, Mick Lamar, who is Shoreline firefighter Jason Lamar’s dad. Mick is also a longtime fire service employee."

The event benefits The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. Last year's event raised over $640,000 for research and patient services.

Donations are being accepted in the name of the Shoreline Fire Department until March 30, either online or by mailing your donation (marked for Shoreline Fire) to 530 Dexter Ave N, Ste 300, Seattle, WA 98109.

Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire