NAMPA FIREFIGHTERS EXCEED FUNDRAISING GOALS
Twelve Nampa firefighters traveled to Seattle to compete in the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb on March 11. The firefighters raced up 788 vertical feet to the top of the Columbia Center, the second-tallest building west of the Mississippi, wearing full fire gear and breathing apparatus. Each firefighter had his own strategy for tackling the climb, but each faced 69 flights of stairs, or 1,311 steps. "Eight steps, left turn; eight steps, left turn," said Shawn Mangun, 27, a co-captain of the Nampa team, about the stairwell.
The team's cumulative time was 45 minutes, 9 seconds, which placed it 14th out of 291 teams overall. Nampa Firefighter G.T. Hausner, 41, was 17th overall, with a time of 13 minutes, 34 seconds. Hausner also finished as the fastest firefighter from the State of Idaho.
Other team members included: Nick Adams, 37; Jeff Bowden, 31; Kirk Carpenter, 36; Robert Johnson, 38; Wayne Kingslien, 50; David O'Connor, 41; Thomas Roorda, 39; Joey Sanchez, 32; Brad Warr, 44; and co-captain Ben Tassos, 28. Firefighter Ted Hardy helped change the firefighters' air bottles at the 40th floor.
All told, 1,550 firefighters representing 291 departments from 24 states as well as Canada and Germany competed in the timed race. The event supports the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising and entry fees.
The Nampa team set a goal of $10,000, well above the $4,096.62 that members raised last year. At last count, the team had smashed that record, with more than $19,000 in donations. O'Connor, raised $4,199, and Sanchez raised more than $2,000. Seven other individuals each raised more than $1,000.
The team raised money for the event numerous ways. Many team members obtained pledges from friends and family. The Nampa Fire Department Local 804 and several local companies also made generous team donations. With the help of Costco Nampa, the team of 12 and assisting Nampa Fire crews climbed over 1,000 floors in full gear on a StairMill located inside the warehouse. Patrons donated to the firefighters, who held out their helmets.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary health organization, is dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Scott Stairclimb organizers estimate that the event will bring in more than $1 million this year.
To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the website at Firefighterstairclimb.org and donate on behalf of the Nampa Fire Department.
View photos of this year's event at firefighterstairclimb.org
View photos of the Nampa Fire Department team go to facebook at Nampa Fire Fighters L-804
For more information contact: Shawn Mangun, Nampa Fire Department, Fire House #5, 208-468-5775 or cell 541-912-7295
