Representatives of the Enumclaw Fire Department are gearing up to again participate in the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society’s Scott Firefighter Stairclimb Fundraiser

The annual event – staged at Bank of America’s Columbia Tower, Seattle’s tallest building – has firefighters climbing 69 flights while wearing 45 to 50 pounds of gear. The climb is 788 feet of vertical elevation gain, consisting of 1,311 steps.

Firefighters take pledges that help raise money to support patients with blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Enumclaw’s involvement in the fundraiser has boomed since 1995 when there were just three participants.

“It used to be that you could sign up the day of the event,” said 2012 team captain Maryn Otto. “This year, registration in November sold out in less than one hour. It was a busy morning.”

There are 22 local firefighters taking part in the fundraiser.

Enumclaw’s stairclimb team is asking for the community’s help. Donations can be dropped off at, or mailed to, the EFD fire station, 1330 Wells St., Enumclaw, 98022. Checks can be made payable to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.

Additionally, local firefighters will benefit through a fundraiser sponsored Feb. 18 by the Enumclaw Starbucks. The “step-a-thon” event will run most of the day.