By Tanya Faulkner
One step at a time was the mission of several local CFA volunteers as they took on the tenth annual Melbourne Firefighter Stairclimb.
Many of the Hills’ bravest took on the climb, dressed head to toe in full firefighter and breathing apparatus gear, to cover 28 floors of stairs in their best times, carrying an additional 25 kilograms.
Amongst those taking on the challenge were the Ferntree Gully CFA and the Kallista/The Patch CFA crews.
Ferntree Gully CFA captain Seamus Smith said they had 12 crew members participate in the climb, with additional support in the stairwell from a couple of other members.
He said the goal was just to give it their best effort on the day.
“Every year it is challenging.
“I managed to get a good time this year, better than last year of seven minutes and five seconds,” he said.
Mr Smith said the fastest time for the Ferntree Gully brigade was one of their newer firefighters with a time just over 5 minutes.
“He absolutely killed it,” he said.
Mr Smith said the event has a fantastic vibe to be a part of.
“It’s really positive and encouraging, super supportive and we’re all just willing each other to get up the climb.
“It shows the great camaraderie between the different fire services.
“It’s a truly fantastic event, and brings the fire fighting community together,” he said.
Mr Smith said there are similarities between when they are out on the job and when they participate in the climb.
“We work together for common causes – when we’re out fighting fires we work together and support each other, and it’s the same for the climb,” he said.
The Ferntree Gully CFA have raised just over $9,000 for the stair climb this year, and as a station, they have raised around $96,000 in the past ten years, thanks to the support from the community, friends and families that have supported them.
The main fundraiser for the Ferntree Gully CFA is their car battery drive, which they will continue to do in the community.
Kallista – The Patch CFA captain Peter Toender said their brigade had a successful run at the stair climb event.
He said the support staff at the event were fantastic, and it’s a big effort every year.
“There’s the briefing and a minute of silence for reflection before the event, and then you get split into lots of around 20 people for the climb.
“Once you get to the top of the stairs, there are people to help getting your gear off, like helmets and jackets so you can breathe properly again, and there’s water and sandwiches to refuel at the top,” he said.
Mr Toender said it’s one of the more tough challenges you’d do as a firefighter, and not everyone makes it to the top.
“I had a big work week leading up to the event so it took me around 12 minutes to get to the top.
“A couple of our guys got up in six minutes, and another also made it in around 12.
He said the main point was to get up to the top.
“It’s about finding a way to get up to the top – if you need a rest or a breather to do it, you do what you can to get up,” he said.
The Kallista – The Patch CFA raised $2530 in donations this year.
All funds raised from the event go towards Lifeline, the Cancer Foundation, and the 000 Foundation, which helps with mental and physical health and wellbeing for first responders.
Overall the event was a great success, and at the time of writing the event overall raised over $620,000.
Donations are still being collected until the end of October, with a goal to reach at least $700,000 for 2023.
