Step Up to the Challenge of the Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Challenge

     The Pella Fire Department and the American Lung Association are challenging you to participate in the 2017 Iowa Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Challenge on April 9, 2017 in Downtown Des Moines. The Fight For Air Climb takes place annually in the stairwells of four downtown, skyscraping buildings—totaling 85 flights and 1,796 steps. We invite you to form a team of firefighters from your department and climb the stairwells of EMC Insurance, the Financial Center, Hub Tower and the Ruan Center individually or as a part of a relay team, in your full turnout gear.

     Firefighters are a rich part of the tradition of the Fight For Air Climb. Together, Iowa’s fire departments have raised over $110,000 for the Fight For Air Climb and the American Lung Association over the last 12 years—and nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised at the Fight For Air Climb goes directly into lung disease research, education and advocacy right here in Iowa.

     This is especially important because we know that firefighters have a higher risk of acute and potentially chronic lung disease because of their increased exposure to respiratory irritants and toxins. In addition, over 390,000 Americans die of lung disease every year; seven million children suffer from asthma in the U.S.; 33 million Americans live with chronic lung disease; and every two-and-a-half minutes someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, half of which die within a year.

     While the mission of the American Lung Association and Fight For Air Climb is personal to many of us, it is especially personal to the Pella Fire Department and their Chief, Doug Van Gorkom. In 2015 the Pella Fire Department participated in the Iowa Fight For Air Climb for the first time after Chief Van Gorkom received a letter from the Marshalltown Fire Department challenging the Pella Fire Department to participate in the Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Challenge. At the same time in the Spring of 2015, Chief Van Gorkom’s wife Susan would receive a double lung transplant after battling pulmonary fibrosis for several years. This gave the Pella Fire Department Climb team new motivation for their fundraising and climbing efforts. Since the start of their participation in 2015, the Pella Fire Department has more than Stepped Up to the Challenge.

     In 2015 The Pella Fire Team had four members who participated in the Firefighter Relay challenge, raising just over $1,500. By the 2016 Fight For Air Climb the Pella Fire teams grew to have 12 firefighters participating in the climb and they raised over $6,700—becoming the top fundraising firefighter team in the state and the second fastest firefighter relay team. Team captain and Pella fireman, Jeremy Scott said “It meant a lot to us, personally for Doug, the way the community came together and really donated to our goal really just showed a lot that our community just binds together and can really donate to a great cause like this.”

     We challenge you to work together with your communities and fellow firefighters to compete in the Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Challenge. The Fight For Air Climb is a unique opportunity to train and take pride in your ability to perform your duties, all while making a direct impact on those who suffer with lung disease and the Fight For Air.  Visit FightForAirClimb.org to register and learn more. Step Up to the Challenge.  Your department could bring home the trophy for 2017!