Firefighters tackle tower for good cause
<p>Firefighters Clint Frank, Allo Pucci and Britain Whitley display the fire-resistant gear they will wear while participating in the Seattle Stairclimb in March. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — The most grueling physical endurance test of the year is right around the corner for Sandpoint firefighters Clint Frank, Britain Whitley and Allo Pucci.
On March 11, they’ll be climbing the stairs of the second-tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi — the 788-foot, 69-story Columbia Center. And they’ll be doing it wearing 65 pounds worth of firefighting equipment.
“It’s intense,” Frank said. “You’ve got to be able to mentally get over the physical exhaustion.”
However, the event is much more than a fitness challenge. The firefighters will also be raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year, Frank, Whitley and Pucci came up with $2,500 for the cause, more than double their goal of $1,000. The firefighters have boosted their goal to $1,500 this year, but nevertheless hope to surpass expectations again.
They also intend to distinguish themselves at the competition itself. In past years, the three-man team has placed in the top 20. That’s pretty impressive considering the Seattle Stair Climb attracts 1,500 firefighters structured into 150 teams from all around the country.
“Considering we’re representing a small town like Sandpoint, that’s not bad at all,” Frank said.
The firefighters maintain their excellent record with a rigorous training regimen. Even when the March 11 event isn’t a matter of weeks away, the Seattle Stair Climb is always a motivating force for the Frank, Whitley and Pucci to stay in shape throughout the year. Given the physical nature of their profession, that’s a result that benefits everyone.
“Since the stair climb helps us stay fit all year round, it helps us be of better service to this great city,” Frank said.
They’ll still need every ounce of endurance to tackle the Columbia Center. The 65 pounds gear make an already physically demanding race up the Columbia Center’s 1,311 steps even tougher. Water and rest stations every 10 floors to provide some relief, but any down time only works against their final time. Average completion of the event usually sits between 20 and 30 minutes, but top competitors can clear the tower in 11 minutes or less. Last year, Frank finished in 15 minutes and three seconds, Whitley in 15 minutes and 23 seconds and Pucci in 15 minutes and 40 seconds. The three aim to meet or surpass those numbers this year.
“We’ve got a little personal competition going as to which one of us will be the fastest,” Frank said.
Residents can show support for the endeavor by dropping by Safeway on Friday between 3-7 p.m. to place a donation. The firefighters will have their Stairmaster running continuously for all four hours with participants trading off every 20 minutes.
Alternatively, people can donate online by visiting www.llswa.org, clicking on “Scott Firefighter Stair Climb,” hitting the “Donate” button and searching for the team “Sandpoint Fire.”