Straight to the top, BRFA raises over $6000 with Seattle stair climb

The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) has returned from the stair climb and was successful in raising over $6000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The event was held in Seattle on March 13. BRFA Firefighters pushed themselves in the ultimate test during this event while wearing full gear. Coltin Batke, Dakota Theroux, Avery Lachambre, and Craig Wenzel were the firefighters for team BRFA and that traveled down to the challenge.

“The trip as well as the climb and experience, as a whole, went very well,” Station 5 Fire Chief Craig Wenzel told Lakeland Connect. “Times for the Bonnyville climbers ranged from 19m17s to 32m41s, it was a very challenging climb but we all finished.”

A great challenge for a great cause.

“We were able, with the support of our community, family, and friends, to raise over $6000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which was very rewarding,” Fire Chief Wenzel said.

The climb itself goes up the Columbia Center in Seattle where firefighters must climb in full structural firefighting gear and on supplied air throughout the entirety of the climb up 69 floors (1356 stairs) which adds about 50 pounds of weight to the firefighter.

“There is one floor, floor 43, where you can get a bottle change to continue up the stairs to the finish. Definitely, a tough climb,” Fire Chief Wenzel said.

A challenging climb that the BRFA plans to tackle again next year when the opportunity arises.

“Definitely plans to return to Seattle next year to experience it again and perhaps get new personal bests for our times,” Fire Chief Wenzel concluded.

Lakeland Connect would like to say congratulations to the BRFA for helping our community with the stair climb challenge.