Three Airdrie firefighters climbed 57 storeys — 1,370 steps — at Brookfield Place in Calgary on Sunday, joining more than 400 others in the annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge. The event raises funds for cancer support programs through Wellspring Alberta and for firefighter wellness through the Firefighters Assistance Charitable Society.
"The overall message on behalf of us is we want to show that Airdrie Fire stands behind not only our community, but behind cancer fighters and behind the families who need our support," said Airdrie firefighter Trevor Liwczak. "We hope our presence sends a message of strength, compassion and commitment, and that we're not just here when the alarm sounds, but also when it's time to stand up for something bigger than ourselves."
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The June 8 event marked the 11th edition of the Stairclimb Challenge, and it was Liwczak's first time participating. He said one of the most memorable aspects was the collective spirit among departments from across the continent.
"... The energy and unity that we felt, not just within our crew, but with every single person there," Liwczak said. "Being my first time doing this - seeing so many firefighters from across North America and even other parts of the world come together for one purpose was powerful."
Liwczak said the experience also brought the team closer together.
"I think it brought our crew closer together, reminded us of our shared purpose, and gave us a chance to be part of something that's bigger than ourselves," he said.
Beyond the team bond, he said the cause behind the climb stayed top of mind throughout the ascent.
"Every step that we climbed was to honour those battling cancer and to support the incredible work that Wellspring Alberta does," Liwczak said.
"They play a very important role in helping cancer patients and their families navigate one of the hardest times in their lives. Knowing that our efforts directly support them gave the climb even more meaning."
The challenge was inspired by the Seattle-based Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, though in Calgary, it was founded by Kathy Blas in memory of her brother, Gord Paul, a Calgary firefighter who died from cancer.
According to Paul's obituary, he served as a member of the Calgary Fire Department for 17 years.
"Gord was born a fireman, took a few detours and got back as soon as he could, and died as a fireman," according to his published obituary.
Airdrie Deputy Fire Chief Garth Rabel, who previously served with Calgary Fire, said he knew Paul.
"I did; I worked with Gordy," Rabel said. "I say presumptive cancer, as I come from a large department in Calgary, so unfortunately, there's been so many of folks that I work with — good firefighters I work with — that have fallen or succumb to job-related cancers."
Rabel said occupational cancer remains a serious concern across the fire service.
"Our department, AFD and other fire services, of course, do the best that we can do to keep our people safe through education, awareness, proper PPE training, decontamination procedures — we've come a long way," he said. "And then the mental health supports that come with with that type of thing as well."
He said the Stairclimb Challenge offers a chance to honour those stories.
"We appreciate everybody and their stories," he said. "There's so many."
Wellspring Alberta is a registered charity offering more than 70 free non-medical programs for cancer patients and their families. Since the event’s inception, the challenge has raised more than $2.5 million.
Other local fire crews from Carstairs and Didsbury also completed the climb. Carstairs sent six members. Didsbury raised $5,156 and placed 15th overall among all team fundraisers.
Rabel confirmed Airdrie’s Rickey-Lee deVries placed 66th overall with a time of 15 minutes 49 seconds, followed by Brayden Richards in 78th at 16:02, and Liwczak in 176th at 18:41.
Liwczak said the weight of the cause hit hardest after reaching the top.
"I think what stayed with us the most was the moment of reflection after the climb when you get to the top, where you kind of feel the weight of who you did it for," Liwczak said. "That moment hit hard, and I think it'll stay with all of us."
Asked how he overcame the physical challenge, he said it came down to having a purpose.
"There's a bigger meaning behind it," he said. "And I think you just naturally want to push to get to the top, not only for yourself, but for who we're doing it for. We're doing it for people who are actively living with cancer or family members who have had, unfortunately, family members pass away due to cancer. So I think it's just that drive to keep pushing for everyone else."
According to the Government of Canada, firefighters face a nine per cent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer, and a 14 per cent higher risk of dying from cancer, than the general population. Between 2005 and 2016, 86 per cent of occupational fatality claims for Canadian firefighters were linked to cancer.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a labour union representing paid full-time firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in the United States and Canada, reports that in 2023, 72 per cent of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational cancer.
"In Canada, where most provinces and territories have robust presumptive laws, close to 94 per cent of line-of-duty deaths among professional firefighters are the result of occupational cancers," the union states on its website.
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