Jackson sets sights on new record at annual stair climb

ONE of Torquay Fire Brigade’s own has committed to beating his best time to date at the annual Melbourne Firefight Stair Climb later this year.

CFA volunteer Jackson Dawson will take on his fifth stair climb later this year, helping raise funds for Lifeline, the Peter Mac Foundation and the 000 Foundation by climbing 28 floors with 25kg of turnout gear on his back at the Crown Metropol.

“It’s not a given you can take part in this event this year, so as soon as my alarm went off for the registration window, I put my name down,” Mr Dawson said.

“My first time doing the stair climb was in 2018 and at the time it was more a bit of fun than anything else, then when I started looking at the cause, it’s something that does sort of hit home a little bit.

 

 

“Over my six or so years in the CFA, you do come across things that stick with you, and more times than not you’re there for some of the negative stuff, and the funds raised aim to help first responders in that regard.”

Mr Dawson won’t be the only Torquay Fire Brigade member taking part in this year’s event, taking on the climb alongside fellow volunteers Justin Resuggan and Rachael Jessen.

In the 2023 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, Mr Dawson achieved a new personal best of five minutes and 12 seconds on the stair climb.

The time was the ninth-fastest time of the entire event, and he is again looking to break it.

“This year I’ll be on air for the first time, so I’ll be hooked up to an oxygen as part of the event, replicating the conditions firefighters are under when travelling upstairs in incidents like that,” Mr Dawson said.

“It won’t actually be a more difficult challenge compared to last year, because we’re hooked up to cold, pure air and not just the stuffiness of the stairwell.

“It’ll be another great year though I expect and it’s all for a great cause as well.”

To help Mr Dawson reach his $1,700 goal, donate to firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/jacksondawson