Brandon powers through firefighter stair climb

SIX-HUNDRED emergency service personnel dug deep to conquer 28 floors of steps at Melbourne’s Crown Metropol Hotel to assist in the fight against depression, PTSD and suicide within first responders.

Barwon Heads Fire Brigade volunteer and Barwon Heads resident, Brandon Newton, completed the climb earlier this month in six minutes, the 65th quickest time on the day, while wearing 25kg of gear including a breathing apparatus.

“Luckily the MC for the climb made it really easy to get going, he was having a bit of fun which took away all of my nerves,” Mr Newton said.

“But obviously with everyone who had donated, supported me and knew that I was doing this, I got a bit scared a week before going up to Melbourne mainly because I didn’t want to get injured or have to pull out.

“Once I got there though, the nerves really died down and I was just excited to start.”

Mr Newton considers himself an active person in his regular day-to-day schedule but made changes to his exercise regime in the lead-up to the climb, often wearing a 20kg weight-vest on the Stairmaster.

“It was hard, don’t get me wrong, it was the first time I had ever done something like this before, but I had a lot of fun with it,” Mr Newton added.

“It was reassuring to see people that I knew from around the district as I had a chance to chat to them beforehand.

“Once you get up to the top though it’s quite good. You are pretty much greeted by six other volunteers who just start taking your gear off and put you in a chair with some water, that was a pretty good feeling.”

The Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) yearly Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb returned to its in-person format after two years of virtual events, to raise money for Lifeline, Fortem and the 000 Foundation.

To date, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb has raised over $530,000 with an initial aim of $600,000, and there is still time to reach that goal with donations being accepted until October 11.

Mr Newton alone has raised $1,590 dollars and the 20-year-old is already looking forward to beating his time in 2023.

To donate to the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb head to www.firefighterclimb.org.au/donations/donate/ before the cut-off day