MISSOULA — Members of the Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department -- along with a Montana City volunteer firefighter -- took to the "M" on Sunday for a good cause.
“We wanna participate to find a cure but its also in memory of my son,” said Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department Captain Brian Reed.
Reed's son Franklin was a junior firefighter who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014 and lost his battle with the disease in 2015.
“He was just willing to help other people and that's what he cared about he was a 16 year old that happened to be a junior firefighter and that's how he did it,” said Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department Chief James Russell.
Russell and Reed were going to attend the LLS Seattle Stairclimb, but the event was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in Washington State.
The two didn't want their training to go to waste, so they decided to take to Mount Sentinel.
Montana City Volunteer Fire Department EMT and firefighter Kenley Zylawy, who joined Russell and Reed on Sunday, was grateful that the event was put together.
“This is going to be the next best thing in the state right here," Zylawy told MTN News.
Russell and Reed want to remember Franklin -- and search for a cure. “In memory of him we are gonna do this climb not only in his memory but to find a cure for the disease,” said Reed.
The Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department Junior Firefighter program is now named the Franklin Vincent Reed Junior Fire program after Brian's son.
Russell and Reed are hoping to participate in the Seattle climb once it is rescheduled.
