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New Westminster firefighters set to Climb the Wall

Imagine running up 48 flights of stairs. Now imagine doing it while hauling 50 pounds on your back. That’s exactly what a group of New Westminster firefighters will be doing on Feb.
Climb the Wall New Westminster firefighters
Climbing for a cause: A team of New Westminster firefighters are training for this year's Climb the Wall fundraiser for the B.C. Lung Association, which will see them racing up 48 flights of stairs in a bid to have the fastest climb time. Last year's team included: Back row, from left, Ian Campbell, Kevin Mikoda, Chris Auer, James Stewart and David Mitchell and front row, from left, Adam Baranj, Steve Brill and Alasdair Dunbar.

Imagine running up 48 flights of stairs. Now imagine doing it while hauling 50 pounds on your back.

That’s exactly what a group of New Westminster firefighters will be doing on Feb. 23, when they participate in the annual Climb the Wall fundraiser at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. The event is a fundraiser for the B.C. Lung Association.

“Climb the Wall is a rare event in that it allows us to come together as a firefighting community to advocate for a cause that strikes close to home,” said New Westminster firefighter Steve Brill. “As firefighters, we routinely find ourselves at risk of exposure to harmful air pollutants. And while we take precautions and wear special gear to protect ourselves, each fire exposes us to a mix of toxins that can contribute to firefighters’ increased risk of respiratory disease and cancer.”

In addition to Brill, the New West team includes Chris Auer, Arron Csizmadia, Joga Hayre, Kyle Hlina, Charles Lister, Bryan Mayer and James Stewart. For the race they’ll be wearing full firefighter gear including boots, pants, coat, helmet, gloves and a self-contained breathing apparatus.

“That’s a lot of stairs – without 50 pounds of gear on,” said firefighter Dustin Javens, who is handling the team’s communications. “They describe it as grueling, for sure.”

Local firefighters value the opportunity to support the B.C. Lung Association in its efforts to promote and protect lung health and clean air.

“For us, participating in Climb the Wall has become both a meaningful tradition and a great team-building exercise,” Brill, captain of the New Westminster firefighters’ team, said in a press release. “Besides that, it’s a great way to spend a Sunday.”

This year marks the New Westminster firefighters fifth time competing for fastest climb time.

“B.C.’s firefighting community is very much a partner in our annual event. Their commitment to the cause is hugely appreciated,” said Christopher Lam, CEO of the B.C. Lung Association. “Together, firefighters, lung health-care community members and participating members of the public have raised almost $2 million since the event first began.”

According to the B.C. Lung Association, one in five British Columbians are affected by lung or breathing conditions, including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), sleep apnea, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis and more.

Now in its 19th year, more than 400 participants of all ages and fitness levels take part in the annual event, including over 200 firefighters competing for the fastest climb time. The record for the fastest stair climb time is 4:17 minutes, but the average time is between 10 and 15 minutes.

New Westminster firefighters are reaching out to friends, family and community members to support them so they can raise as much money as possible for the B.C. Lung Association.

“It’s crazy what they do,” Javens said. “We are very proud of them.”

To support the team, go to www.stairclimb.ca (click on Donate and search for New Westminster.).