A Firefighter/Paramedic with the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District will compete with other firefighters from across the United States in the 18th Annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle – the largest individual firefighter competition in the world. On March 8, Nic Turner will race to the top of the Columbia Center in full combat gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. At 788 feet, the Columbia Center stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 1,311 steps to scale it. The event raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; last year, it brought in a record $530,000 for blood-cancer research and patient services. Local donations will be accepted at the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District fire station located at 41090 Big Bear Boulevard.