MRFD Stairclimb Winners

Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) firefighters won the Team and Individual awards in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, which took place on March 8, 2009. The Stairclimb is a fundraiser which supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees.

MRFD won the team time with a time of 36:19.05 (the second fastest time ever) and Kory Burgess won the individual event with a NEW RECORD of 10:55. The previous record was 11:08 by Brent Molsberry of Everett Fire.

This unique race is conducted in full combat gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world.

The race is to the top of the Columbia Center building in downtown Seattle, Washington. At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Center is the second tallest building West of the Mississippi. It takes 69 floors and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city.

This year firefighters from 244 departments, 25 U.S. States, D.C., three Canadian Provinces, New Zealand, and Germany participated in the climb. There were 1500 firefighters registered for the event, and 1,385 finished.

TOP TEN INDIVIDUAL TIMES:

KORY BURGESS -MRFD 10:55.75
Zach Schade -Seattle Fire 11:29.15
Brent Molsberry -Everett Fire 11:43.05
Paul Kimball -Spokane Valley Fire 11:50.20
Andy Drobeck -Missoula City Fire 12:09.90
DOUG SWAIN -Missoula Rural Fire 12:28.75
Brad Roe -Missoula City Fire 12:42.50
CALEB CRAFT -Missoula Rural Fire 12:54.55
Charlie Schmidt -Vancouver Fire 13:04.25
Jeremiah Mushen -Valley Regional Fire 13:07.15

TOP TEN TEAM TIMES*

MISSOULA RURAL FIRE 36:19.05
Missoula City Fire 38:55.70
Seattle Fire 39:01.05
Vancouver Fire 40:49.90
Everett Fire 41:40.00
Kennewick Fire 42:15.95
Sparks Fire 42:22.55
Spokane City Fire 42:37.55
Mercer Island Fire 42:38.65
Spokane Valley Fire 42:54.65