With Emergency Preparedness Week coming up (May 7-13), the whole month (May) dedicated to education, testing and more in High River, and Fort Mac's 1 year anniversary - our local fire team is on my mind. These folks are always ready to lend a hand.

And yesterday I got word from Samaeer Shakya they are at it again!

Shakya, Moran, Watson, Rugg, Tanney, Witteman.

My note from Sameer:

HRFD has participated in Calgary Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge every year since its inaugural year (2015). This year again, we have two teams (HRFD-1 and HRFD 2) with following members. Each team can only consist of up to 4 members which emulates a truck company, so we have two teams with 4 in one and 2 in the other.

  • Capt. Brent McGREGOR
  • FF. Bradely RUGG
  • FF. Austen TANNEY
  • FF. Jenaye WATSON
  • FF. Derek WITTEMAN
  • FF. Sameer SHAKYA

I am leading the stairclimb team (so essentially the Team Captain) but I am not a Captain in HRFD. I just want to make sure that is not mistaken :). Also I have included the ranks of all the team members (Capt. = Captain and FF. = Firefighter).

Rugg, Witteman, Shakya, Moran, Watson, Tanney

Missing from the pictures is McGregor as he didn't participate last year. Also, Moran is not able to participate this year however Tanney is stepping in as a last minute substitution.

Here is the link for the stairclimb if you or your audience wants more information.
http://calgarystairclimb.com/

Anyone is interested in donating to the cause they can do so from the website towards either team (HRFD-1 or HRFD 2) or any individual firefighter.

About The Climb

On May 7, 2017, up to 500 firefighters from North America will be climbing the stairs of Calgary’s BOW Building, Western Canada’s tallest building and the highest elevation in the world, in support of Wellspring Calgary. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and funds for firefighters and all citizens living with cancer.

Hosted by the Calgary Firefighters Benevolent Society, Calgary is poised to cheer on the brave ones who will ascend the 775 vertical feet -- 1204 steps!! -- of THE BOW Building, in full firefighter duty gear. Starting at 3400 feet above sea level, this climb is the highest elevation stairclimb in the world! Firefighters will have the opportunity to be timed wearing their full duty gear, including provided SCBA packs (without air).

Inspired by Seattle’s Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, Kathy Blas the sister of a local fallen firefighter, Gord Paul, brought this event to the attention of the Calgary Fire Department, the Calgary Firefighters Benevolent Society and a local cancer charity. Wellspring Calgary provides programs, resources and support to people living with cancer along with their families and caregivers. The event is promoted and hosted by The Calgary Firefighters Benevolent Society, whose purpose is to provide assistance to firefighters and their families when they experience health related issues.

The connection these organizations share is that a prevalent occupational hazard of the firefighter’s job is cancer. Those who live with cancer are heroes to their families and friends, living out each day with courage and hope. Firefighters also provide courage and hope; they are our everyday heroes. The event is fully endorsed and supported by the Calgary Fire Department.

In order to particpate in this event, you must be at least 18 years old on event day. You must be an active or retired firefighter.

About Wellspring Calgary

Wellspring Calgary is a warm and welcoming community that provides a comprehensive range of support, resources and programs so anyone living with cancer and the people who care about them can improve the quality of their lives.

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. It brings countless life-altering moments and events for the people who receive the diagnosis and for those who love them. People with cancer are compelled to find a new ‘normal,’ before, during and after treatment. Priorities shift, relationships change, life is … different.

Wellspring Calgary addresses the body-mind-spirit matters that affect and impact people living with cancer those diagnosed, their families and caregivers. Wellspring Calgary helps all those impacted by cancer to address the fear, isolation, disruption and practical problems cancer brings to their lives. Programs and resources are offered free of charge and without referral so no one has to face cancer alone.

Sameer writes....
I am a proud member of High River Fire Department and the bigger firefighter community.

I was first introduced to firefighting in 1998 when I was in CFB Esquimalt, BC, while I was in the Canadian Naval Reserves and doing a shipboard firefighting training. I fell in love with it, however was on my way to pursue a career in IT. However, in 2004 when life brought me to High River I was excited to learn that HRFD was a volunteer organization and I finally joined in 2008. It has been an exciting and amazing journey since then. I have grown tremendously as an individual and a firefighter.

Cancer hits close to home for me as I have lost a family member and have a close friend who continues to fight the battle against cancer. Wellspring Calgary provides the much needed support for all those who are impacted by cancer in and around Calgary.

So, I’m raising money in support of Wellspring Calgary by participating in the Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge on Sunday, May 7, 2017. I am so pumped (and slightly nervous) to take on this challenge and look forward to pushing myself as I climb the 775 vertical feet (1204 steps!) of THE BOW Building in downtown Calgary … in my full duty gear! This is the third year I am participating in this challenge and I am hoping to reach and exceed my goal - both for fundraising and time to climb.

By making a donation to me, you are helping to make a difference in the lives of many! All the money raised will go towards Wellspring Calgary, a place which provides free programs and resources to people who have been impacted by cancer, and those who care for them, so that no one has to face cancer alone. We all know that cancer is a grim possibility in my line of work. Thank you for helping me to make a difference in the life of someone facing cancer! (For more info on the charity, visit http://wellspringcalgary.ca)