UPDATED: In Heavy Gear, Eastside Fire & Rescue Members Climbed Columbia Tower Sunday for Fundraiser

Eleven members of Eastside Fire & Rescue made their way to the top of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle on Sunday, as part of the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb.

The fire agency has three stations in Sammamish. Out of the Eastside Fire & Rescue group, firefighter Aaron Hendrickson clocked the top time at 17 minutes 01:79 seconds, firefighter Jason Stotler said. The times of the other firefighters are listed at the bottom.

On Saturday, members from Eastside Fire & Rescue Professional Fire Fighters Local 2878 volunteered time at an Issaquah shopping center to train on a stair machine, raise awareness and greet residents.

People contributed to the fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by placing money into the firefighters' rubber boots. The firefighters shared space with the Girl Scouts, who were selling cookies for their fundraiser.

At 943 feet, the Columbia Center is the West Coast's tallest building, organizers said. The firefighters wore their heavy fire gear, including breathing tanks, as they made their way up 788 feet of vertical elevation.

That is equal to 1,311 stairs and 69 stories. Their gear weighs between 40 to 50 pounds. Several Eastside firefighters said Saturday that they're keenly aware of the climb by the time they reach tenth floor.

Organizers expected 1,550 firefighters from 27 U.S. states, as well as ones from Canada and New Zealand. Montana firefighter Kory Burgess holds the 2010 men's record of 11 minutes, 1.35-seconds, according to organizers. Graham firefighter Georgia Sanz Daniels of Graham Fire and Rescue holds last year's record for women at 14 minutes, 51.9 seconds.

Members of Eastside Fire & Rescue who participated in the Sunday climb include: Jason Stotler, Brian Dotson, Adam Merritt, Aaron Hendrickson, Lt. Ben Hudson, Eric English, Mike Tjosvold, Capt. Pete Brummel, Colin O'Brien, Berlin Maza and Jack Lewis.

Here are their times from Sunday, according to Stotler.

Brummel: 18 minutes 51:14 seconds
Tjosvold: 19 minutes 44:45 seconds
O'Brien: 20 minutes 00:31 seconds
Hudson: 20 minutes 56:59 seconds
Stotler: 22 minutes 15:49 seconds
English: 22 minutes 15:49 seconds
Dotson: 22 minutes 39:07 seconds
Lewis: 24 minutes 40:43 seconds
Maza: 28 minutes 36:45 seconds
Merritt: (currently unknown)

As of Saturday, Eastside Local 2878 had raised about $25,000. In 2010, members raised $33,110, which was the most money for the event that year. This year, Local 2878 is trying to raise $35,000, Stotler said.

This year's stairclimb honored Hunter Smith, 4, of Port Orchard and Breonia Adam, 16, of Stayton, Ore., organizers said. The two are receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To contribute to this fundraiser, donations can be dropped off at any Eastside Fire & Rescue station. Checks can be made out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Or people can donate online. You can give in association with a team or individual firefighter.

Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters will have another fundraiser on March 19 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Safeway in North Bend.