Local Firefighters Leading the Race in American Lung Association's Annual Fight For Air Climb

COLUMBUS, OH (02/09/2015)(readMedia)-- On March 7th, local firefighters will be strapping on their 70 lbs. of gear and racing to the top of the Rhodes Tower to help save lives. But there won't be a fire. The 11 brave members of the Columbus Firefighters Local 67 will be joining 350 men, women and children as they climb 880 stairs in the American Lung Association's 5th Annual Fight For Air Climb.

The team, representing areas across the city and the largest Fire Department in the state, treats the event as an opportunity to test their job training. Team captain Tom Lacey says it's a win-win for the firefighters. "We all see it as a real challenge. We attend the practice events put on by the American Lung Association and spend long hours in the gym to prepare." And their hard work pays off. Lacey and his team are 2-year returning overall victors and the highest fundraising team in the race, raising nearly $2,000 to help fund research and raise awareness for lung disease.

But it isn't all about the physical rewards for Lacey. "We're all trained as EMTs and many of us are also paramedics, so we work with people struggling to breathe on a daily basis. Anytime we can put on our gear and help those people out is an opportunity we're happy to take."

The Columbus Firefighters Local 67 won't be alone in their competitive race to the top. This year they'll be joined by firefighting teams from Concord Township, Westerville, and Marysville.

The Fight for Air Climb helps to increase awareness and raise money for the American Lung Association's fight against lung disease. Funds raised will be put towards lung health research, education, and advocacy.

Posted Monday February 09, 2015 at 05:31 pm by American Lung Association in Ohio