Local CFA volunteers conquer 28-storey Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb
Local CFA volunteers have been praised for their exceptional fitness and community spirit by conquering the formidable 28 storey 2026 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb weighed down by 25 kg of full firefighting kit.
LOCAL CFA volunteers have shown their exceptional fitness and community spirit by conquering the formidable 28 storey 2026 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.
The gruelling event took place at Melbourne’s Crown Metropol requiring emergency services personnel to scale 476 steps while weighed down by 25 kg of full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus.
Four firefighters from the Phillip Island Fire Brigade Georgia Anderson, Alex Szutta, Anita Reid, and Rebecca Quarrell all took on the gruelling physical challenge with Rebecca finishing in the fastest overall female competitor time of just 5 minutes and 9 seconds.
Battling a head cold, Tarwin Lower Fourth Lieutenant Cara Munnings also successfully finished the event raising nearly $2,700 for charities close to her heart.
Despite battling illness Munnings pushed through the exhausting ascent to finish in an impressive 12 minutes and 22 seconds. “It might not have been a personal best, but considering I was coming out of a cold and genuinely thought I wouldn’t even make it to 20 minutes, I am so incredibly proud of myself,” she said. “To not only make it to the top but to do it in a time I never thought possible with the way I was feeling is something I’m really proud of.”
Munnings’ intense preparation paid off, having regularly trained in her heavy Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) along the roads of Venus Bay and tackling the steep cliff steps at Shack Bay between Inverloch and Cape Paterson.
“25 kg of required firefighting and emergency gear and 28 flights of stairs, it was quite exhausting,” said Cara. “There’s plenty of support in the stairwells, but you need to be prepared for it 100 per cent,” said Cara.
It’s the second year Munnings has competed in the challenge, and she has no plans of slowing down. “I did better than I thought, and I’ll do it again absolutely,” she said.
“Happy to be there raising funds for multiple causes including mental health and cancer. A huge thank you to everyone who supported me, donated along the way, sent messages, and cheered me on. It honestly means more than you know and helped get me up those 28 floors.”
Inverloch CFA volunteer Hayden completed his 9th Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.
Bass Coast Shire Councillor Tracey Bell praised the participating volunteers for their unwavering dedication both on and off the fireground. "A huge congratulations to our local CFA members who took part," Cr Bell said
"We are incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated bunch in our community. We see you volunteering at local events, educating residents, supporting community activities and, of course, answering the call when people need help most."
The event raised a total of $1,067,386 surpassing its $1 million goal for cancer research, mental health services, and crisis support benefiting charities like Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000 Foundation.
