Pullman Firefighters Prepare For Stair Climb

PULLMAN-Firefighters climb stairs when fighting fires, it’s a necessary part of their jobs.But this weekend, Steve Potratz-Lee and other Pullman firefighters are climbing stairs for a different reason.The firefighters plan to compete in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Stair Climb fundraiser in Seattle, where firefighters from all around race to the top of the Columbia Center wearing their full firefighter gear in order to raise money for cancer research.

“From a personal standpoint, I have family members who have been battling cancer and all the money goes to cancer research and supports people with cancer and it’s just a really important organization to support,” Pullman firefighter Potratz-Lee said.

Potratz-lee won the event last year and looks to repeat as champion.

“Last year my time was 10 minutes and 55 seconds, which was my best time out of the four years that I’ve done it so I’m hoping to go for another best time this year,” Potratz-Lee said.

 The fundraiser is important for firefighters because they are more likely to develop leukemia and lymphoma than the average person because of their job.

“It hits home a little more that we’re raising for cancer research for cancer that we very well could contract over the course of our career,” Firefighter Robby Krieger said.

“You know they do a great job in opening ceremonies on the day of the climb just bringing it together as kind of a family for firefighters knowing that we’re a lot more affected. So, just the firefighters that know about it and get involved it’s a very impressive event,” Adam Thalhofer, another Pullman firefighter, said.

The Pullman firefighters have collectively raised over $2,500 dollars for the fundraiser, but they’ve also been taking personal donations.