INNISFAIL – It was mid-morning in downtown Calgary and veteran local firefighter Gary Leith was all set and ready to race to the top with four colleagues.
There was no fire.
But this was still a huge and important challenge.
The event on June 8, with more than 400 other firefighters across Alberta,was the 11th annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge; a climb to the top of Calgary’s tallest tower, Brookfield Place.
Leith, who is the town’s director of protective services, was joined by Innisfail firefighters Brody Holsworth, Megan Berg, Brett Hall, and Jake Walker. They were joined by several other firefighters from Red Deer County.
The task for Innisfail’s mighty five came with an elevation gain of 247 metres, 57 stories and 1,370 steps.
And while it was looking like a beautiful late spring day it was already getting warmer and warmer, and the five local firefighters were each wearing extra poundage of modified firefighter gear.
“It was a warm day for climbing in a non-air-conditioned staircase. Thankfully, we didn't get to the major heat of the day,” said Leith. “It was the warmest climb I've done in the last eight years.”
But up he went.
Leith climbed all 1,370 steps in 18 minutes and 26 seconds.
It was a great climb but not a personal record.
“Last year was quicker but I was still pretty happy,” said Leith, who climb was 165th best out of 411 participants.
He said one of his firefighting colleagues, Holsworth, finished 27 seconds faster than him with a time of 17 minutes and 59 seconds.
Leith did note with a slight chuckle he is 29 years older than Holsworth.
The top time by any firefighter was from Caleb Snith of the Calgary Fire Department with a time of 11 minutes and 20 seconds.
Most importantly, however, the mighty five raised just over $7,400 for Wellspring Alberta, an agency that provides a comprehensive range of support, resources and programs for people across the province who are living with cancer.
The annual event also underscored the occupational risks, including heightened cancer exposure, firefighters face in their daily commitment to save lives and keep communities safe.
“That's certainly a record for fundraising for the group,” said Leith, who has been participating in the annual event with his fellow Innisfail firefighting heroes for the past eight years. “It was a fantastic event.”
