LVFD firefighters raise $1,800

Libby Volunteer Fire Department members Scott Beagle and Ryan Andreessen raised more than $1,800 for their efforts climbing a skyscraper in full firefighter garb.

The men competed with more than 1,600 firefighters from around the world as they ran 69 flights of stairs during the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb at Seattle’s Columbia Center on March 9. Donated money went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“We wanted to be under the 20-minute mark,” Andreessen said. “We knew what we were getting into after running at the dam.”

Beagle, 43, earned bragging rights over Andreessen, 37. Beagle completed the climb in 20:53, good for 673rd place. Andreessen finished in 21:17, which earned him 718th place.

“There was a firefighter there with his 9-year-old daughter who is undergoing chemotherapy,” Beagle said. “He talked about how important things like this have been since his daughter was diagnosed. Me and Ryan looked at each other and said, ‘Wow.’ It gave a whole new meaning to the climb.”

After their first trip, the guys are hooked.

“The Seattle Department had some guys playing bagpipes,” Andreessen said. “It was a good time. We’ll get some more guys to go next year and hopefully raise more money.”