bshea@messengernews.net

OTHO — Imagine going to the top of a skyscraper using only the stairs.

Now imagine doing that while wearing 50 pounds of extra stuff, including a big tank on your back.

A team of volunteer firefighters from Otho is preparing to do just that to help raise money for the American Lung Association.

The grueling event is called the Fight for Air Climb. The team will raise about $500 going up all those steps.

The team includes Fire Chief Marty Smith and firefighters Cael Hansen, Jody Smith, Travis Stanberg, and Patrick Sullivan.

They will hit the stairwells of four downtown Des Moines skyscrapers on April 7.

Marty Smith will ascend the 324 steps of the Hub Tower.

Stanberg will take on the 371 steps of the EMC Building.

Jody Smith will climb the 464 steps of the Financial Center.

Sullivan will go up the 637 steps of the Ruan Building.

Hansen, a freshman on the Fort Dodge Senior High School track team, will climb the stairs of all four buildings.

Each of them will be wearing full firefighter gear, including boots, pants, coat, helmet and self-contained breathing apparatus. They will have the breathing apparatus tanks on their backs, but will not have the facemask on.

“It’s a mental challenge,” Marty Smith said. “You have to just say ‘I’m going to do this.”

To get ready, the firefighters have been working out, running laps and going up and down the stairs in the firehouse.

The Otho Fire Department has had a team in the Fight for Air Climb since 2010. Other fire departments from across the state also participate.

Donations for the American Lung Association are being accepted by the Otho firefighters.