LAST weekend a number of Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters took part in the 2022 Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb along with 600 other firefighters and other Emergency Service Personnel; stepping up to fight depression, PTSI and suicide by climbing the 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel wearing 25kgs of turnout gear and breathing apparatus.

The local 257 Coffs Harbour FRNSW representative crew finished with very respectable times and placements against the other competitors.

RFF Wilson completed the climb in 5 minutes and 5 seconds, finishing twelfth overall from 600 competitors, taking out third in the Masters division.

Not far behind was a/DC Laarhoven, with a time of 5 minutes and 6 seconds, coming in fifteenth overall and fourth in the Masters Division.

RFF Mounter came in with a time of 7 minutes and 44 seconds, 181st overall and fifteenth in the Grand Masters division.

This year with the assitance of community and business, the amalgated climbers raised $512,000 of the target

$600,000 for Lifeline, Fortem and the 000Foundation to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of Mental health issues like depression, Post Traumatic Stress Injury and suicide, especially for those within the Emergency Service and Defence communities.

The crew at 257 Coffs Harbour thank everybody for their support and remind you that donations are still open till the end of September by visiting https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/fr-nsw/coffs-harbour/.