TVF&R Battalion Chief Allen Kennedy prepares to race
On Sunday, March 7th more than 1200 firefighters raced in full turnout gear and breathing apparatus up the 69 flights of the Columbia Center in Seattle. The goal: get to the top as quickly as possible. The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb is the largest firefighter competition in the world and 35 Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue members took a day off and made the trip north to take part.
TVF&R’s team placed fourth overall out of 129 teams in a tough competition.
The racers are broken down into categories by age group and gender. Some highlights:
- 10 top 10s – 10 TVF&R competitors placed top 10 in their categories.
- 3rd largest team – Out of 129 teams.
- 7th fastest male – TVF&R’s Geoff Goodman was the 7th fastest male in the competition, and the second fastest in his age division, getting to the top in 13:08 !
- 8th fastest female – TVF&R’s Rachel Ford made it to the top in 18:49, faster than 99 other women. She was also second fastest in her age division.
- Fastest Chief – TVF&R Battalion Chief Tom Clemo was the fastest of 46 chiefs in the stair-climb.
The Columbia Center Tower is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi.
Other outstanding TVF&R results:
- Ron Baker – 10th in 25-29 age division, beating 225 others.
- Virgil Hall – 4th in age division.
- Jim Davis – 4th age division.
You can see more results by clicking here.
The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb is a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. TVF&R’s team is currently 2nd place overall in fundraising at more than $21,000 and there is still time to donate. You can still contribute until the end of this month. If you’d like to donate, CLICK HERE. The team’s goal is $25,000.
