Saturday Everett Firefighters To “Virtually” Climb Columbia Tower In LLS Fundraiser

Over the years you’ve seen MyEverettNews.com showcase Everett Firefighters raising funds for the annual LLS Firefighter Stairclimb. That’s where firefighters in full bunker gear and airbottle climb 1,356 steps up the staircase of the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle. Prior to the climb firefighters hold fundraising events. We’ve shown you firefighters “filling the boot” in front of the Everett Costco over the last few years.

Due to COVID-19 the event has gone virtual and this Saturday members of the Everett Fire Department will “climb where they are” doing the 1,356 steps at their homes, neighborhoods and other meaningful places. They can also

STRIDE – Tackle 3.2 miles in a favorite form of exercise to simulate the ascension to the top of the Columbia Center.

STEP UP – Challenge themselves with 400 step-ups to accomplish their climb.

In 2019 Everett was the top fundraising team with more than five dozen firefighters participating. This year the virtual team is smaller but no less dedicated to raising funds to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Here is a link to this year’s Everett Firefighter’s fundraising page. Just click on the “DONATE NOW” to donate to the Everett Team or click on one of the individual names to read their story and donate to an individual firefighter.

Here’s more about the event

The world’s largest on-air stair climb competition. Open only to career, volunteer, or retired firefighters, this event features over 2,000+ members of the fire service who must register, commit to raising a minimum of $300/person for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and then from coast to coast, on May 15th, we will virtually ascend the tallest building in Seattle on event day.

It takes 69 flights, 1,356 steps, and 788 ft. vertical elevation gain to reach the highly acclaimed Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor. The entirety of the course must be completed while wearing full turnout gear (typically weighing 60+ lbs.), while on-air.

This physically challenging competition is representative of the struggle that blood cancer patients endure. Every step serves as a reminder that there is still much work left to be done in funding and finding cures. Since the first LLS Firefighter Stairclimb in 1991, this event has raised over $20 million for LLS.