Firefighters climb Calgary's tallest tower for cancer awareness

Firefighters from across the region will test their endurance Sunday, June 14, by climbing 1,370 steps — equivalent to 57 storeys — at Brookfield Place while wearing full firefighting gear, including boots, helmet, and a 30-pound pack.

The 12th annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge is presented by Wellspring Cancer Support, a province-wide support network aiding those living with cancer. The event brings awareness to the occupational hazards firefighters face every day, with cancer being one of the highest risks in the profession.

"I couldn't think of a more worthwhile cause because our career is one of the highest at risk for getting cancer. I think any support that we can give and any awareness we can raise towards this is worthwhile," said Nicole Byrne, an Okotoks Fire & Rescue firefighter and paramedic who won the competition two years ago.

Byrne has competed for the past four years and is hoping to reclaim her title this year. She described the physical challenge: "You get pretty hot in the stairwell and you are moving pretty quick. Most of us start out skipping stairs and then as you climb above 40 storeys, you're not skipping stairs anymore."

Okotoks Fire has had strong showings historically. Over the past two years, women from the department have taken the women's top spot.

Competing firefighters include: — Ryan Kaiser and Nicole Byrne from Okotoks Fire & Rescue — Dylan Alaric, Matthew McMullen, Byron Charbonneau, and Jesse Seddon from Foothills Fire Department — Andrew Draper, Daniel Black, Shelby Hammond, Gregor Hein, Christina Meikle, Geoff Kemble, Kris LeBlanc, Marie-Pier Garant, Sam Warkman, Shane Brown, Stephen Chiasson, and Thierry Leblanc from Diamond Valley Fire Rescue

Participants will be competing to record the best times while raising money for a cause that hits close to home for many in the service.