There were 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation to challenge the firefighters and EMS squad of Lopez in a race to the top.

Rising 76 stories above the cityscape of Seattle, the Columbia Center Tower hosts the opportunity for 1,800 firefighters to support the motto, “ climb, conquer, cure.”

Dressed in full gear firefighters from 282 different departments from across the world ascend 69 flights to race the clock and reach the top of Columbia Center Tower. The race known as the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees.

This year’s participants Tracie Red Elk, Tyler Bower, Jennifer English, Chase Schober, Samuel Fowler, Justin Merrifield and Tom Felber represented Lopez Fire and EMS in the effort to raise over $1.44 million in fund raising dollars. All were first timers except for Tracie Red Elk who was the oldest female to participate in the entire event. This is Tracie’s second year of participating and reminds the community, “It’s not too late to donate to this worthy cause – the fireman’s “boot” is still waiting to be filled at the station.” All donations are tax deductible.