By Tanya Faulkner
From saving lives in the Ferntree Gully community, to hauling up 28 flights of stairs, is the journey for several of our community’s bravest.
The 10th annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb is just around the corner, with several local CFA members taking on the challenge for 2023.
One of those brigades is the Ferntree Gully CFA, who are attempting the challenge for another year.
The stair climb involves firefighters and emergency service members from around Victoria – and the world – to battle 28 floors of stairs in up to 25 kilos of turnout gear and breathing apparatus as a symbol of the burden of significant health and well-being issues faced by first responders on a regular basis.
Some climbers will also be breathing “on air” through a self-contained breathing apparatus, adding extra levels of difficulty to the climb.
Ferntree Gully CFA member Rohan Laing said the best comparison for the gear is like scuba diving.
“On a scuba mask you have to ‘ask for air’ with a button on your mask, which is similar to the ‘purge’ button on our masks,” he said.
In the 12 years of participation by Ferntree Gully CFA members, they have raised over $87,000 for the Peter Mack Lifeline charity, and the 000 foundation.
Mr Laing said it’s a tough challenge to complete, but the motivation is there through fundraising for the charities.
“Our CFA have been top contributors to fundraising efforts twice, which shows how much the Ferntree Gully community is behind us,” he said.
This years’ event has seen so much popularity from first responders coming from interstate and overseas, that there has been a pause on registrations.
Over the coming weeks the Ferntree Gully CFA will be ramping up their fundraising efforts in the community, embarking on tin rattling and continuing with their car battery recycling.
Locals who wish to support the CFA in their stair climb fundraising can visit firefighterclimb.org.au/donations/donate/cfa/ferntree-gully/
