By Mikayla van Loon
Imagine climbing 28 flights of stairs. Now imagine climbing those stairs fully kitted out in 25 kilograms of CFA gear.
That’s exactly what a group of CFA volunteers from the Montrose and Mooroolbark brigades will be doing in September to raise money and awareness for mental health and PSTI in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.
Representing Montrose this year will be Krissy Dundas, Sean Frith, Ryan McCormack, Alicia Gugele, James Gluskie and Michael Presta.
James first began volunteering in the support crew for the event in 2018 before taking on the climb himself for the first time in 2019.
“I thought ‘I’ll just give it a crack’ and other people from the brigade were jumping on board so I thought ‘go with them’ and in the beginning thought not much of it,” he said.
“But then during the course of the day, there’s a ceremony at the start of the day where they talk about mental health and talk about 9/11 and the firefighters that passed away over there.
“It was a big thing that hit home for me and that gave me the drive and I actually connected with it and had that want to do it and commit to it.”
For Michael, having his own connection to PTSD after a work incident 12 years ago, he knows how challenging it can be to ask for help.
First taking part in the stair climb challenge during the virtual events throughout the pandemic, Michael is now heading into his third year of the event.
“I’m a big believer in getting help as early as possible to the people that need it the most and any way I can raise funds for that, I’m all for it,” he said.
Michael said the virtual events really catered to his shy personality and allowed him to still raise funds for a cause he was passionate about, that’s why he will be doing the same this year rather than heading into Crown Metropol.
While preparing to take on the challenge on 10 September, over the next two months, the brigades will be fundraising as a crew and as individuals for the cause.
Although there’s no set target, Michael said “the more the better.”
“Mental health in general is such a big thing. Lockdowns and Covid have really opened a lot of people’s eyes to what it can be and that can affect a whole bunch of people and that’s just day to day life,” James said.
“Mental Health in the first response sector is so important because we’re exposed to some of the world’s crappiest stuff. We see rubbish. It really affects us and mental health needs more research. It needs more funding.”
Both James and Michael said even though CFA volunteers do respond to some terrible incidents and see a lot of trauma, they are lucky to have a large number of supports in place to guide them.
“Any way I can raise money to help people that may not have a program like what CFA offers, is a good thing,” Michael said.
“[Asking for help], it’s a big step and it took me a long time but I’m glad that I did.
“We know ourselves, we know our bodies, we know how we feel as well. It doesn’t matter what age you are, what your experiences have been, if you don’t feel right, then ask for help and seek assistance in any way, whether it’s your GP, even a friend or a close family member.”
To support Montrose CFA in its fundraising, go to www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/cfa/montrose/
To donate to Mooroolbark CFA, go to www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/cfa/mooroolbark/
