Sacrifice comes in many different forms, especially for our emergency services hero’s. In memory of the events on 9/11, firefighters across the country have begun to mark the day by climbing in honor of firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in an event called Climbing for our Fallen.
This year, for approximately 170 Alberta firefighters and other emergency services workers, it meant climbing the 802 stairs of the Calgary Tower while raising funds for a very special initiative which affects hero’s closer to home.
After learning that 90% of High River’s firefighters were devastated by the 2013 floods on June.25, Firefighters 1st, the organization in charge of the annual climb jumped into action by donating a large portion of the funds raised to the High River Better Halves Society with specific instructions to help the firefighters and their families to get back on their feet. As in previous years, a portion of the proceeds raised will still go to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation as well.
Chestermere was well represented at this year’s event with 8 members from our own Fire Services Division along with a volunteer resident who joined the group.
While some of the participants from other area’s climbed in athletic clothing, uniforms or even bunker gear, the Chestermere men took the opportunity for an even greater challenge and were the ONLY group to climb in Full Bunker Gear with SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) while on air.
In other words, these men climbed to 160 meters in full gear which is designed to protect them from heat, flames and smoke and probably weigh in excess of 55 lbs and they did it in just over 14 minutes.
“It was very challenging” says Captain Passmore, one of the 9 climbers from Chestermere. “Next year we hope to take even more of our members, to help reach the ultimate goal of 343 climbers participating (in this event)”. The number 343 is significant because that is the # of NYC Firefighters lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Chestermere Fire Services team works hard to be advocates for promoting community and physical fitness so this was a great fit for them and they were proud to participate. In total, the special Flood Relief Edition for the 2013 Climbing for our Fallen event in Calgary raised over $9,000.
The Team members representing Chestermere Fire Services were: Captain Craig Passmore, Captain Jason Linton, SNRFF Mark Romaniuk, FF Peter Cone, FF Paul Selman, FF Glenn Jefferies, FF Austin Burley, FF Robert Barchard along with Chestermere resident and the group’s RMT, Johanne Hachez.
