Polson firefighters prepare for Seattle stairclimb
<p>Firefighter Tayler (CMCQ) Hayes practices stair climbing at a Super 1 demonstration Feb. 5. Firefighter Tayler (CMCQ) Hayes practices stair climbing at a Super 1 demonstration Feb. 5.</p>
BY MICHELLE LOVATO
Lake County Leader
Firefighters are a family, bonded by time, training and love.
And in their long tradition of serving their community, Polson firefighters gathered at Super 1 Foods last week to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma.
The Polson firefighters’ latest service project revolves around the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle this spring and involves a critical training exercise that enables firefighters to save lives during the devastation caused through fire.
The $2,000 entry fee is a direct donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help people like Bella Allred, 4, of Polson, who is fighting the deadly disease.
Polson firefighter Blake Holman’s best time so far is 120 stairs in 42 minutes. But in 2014, firefighter Jasper Stenstrom of Kitsap, Wash., who once faced a serious cancer scare, climbed them in 13.39 minutes, which is the same time that blood cancer became a reality for three people in the United States and claimed the life of another.
Members of the Polson fire department participated in the stair climb challenge for the past three years and are preparing for their fourth year.
The stair-climb challenge helps each team as well. “We rent a big house and all stay together,” firefighter Julie Sisler said. “It’s a really good chance for us all to bond.”
Polson’s 10-member team is practicing for the challenge that includes much more than climbing stairs. Each participant wears a 50-pound pack that includes a helmet and working breathing apparatus.
Tayler Hayes is the youngest team member. Until his 18th birthday this spring, Hayes will be a junior firefighter. On his birthday he will be a full firefighter.
Hayes graduated from Polson High School one year early and is looking forward to this year’s challenge. It will be his first.
The firefighters started training Jan. 1 and raised more than $1,000 at Polson Wal-Mart.
At the demonstrations, volunteer firefighters took turns practicing stair-climbing in full gear, handing out hats to kids, stickers and helping customers with big purchases load their cars.
Firefighters will host future fundraisers while continuing to practice for the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb.
During the 15-year history of the Scott Firefighter Stair-climb, organizers contributed over $9 million to support the leukemia research.