Gear Requirements

Here's list of the gear required to qualify for specific category types. Please note you will be checked by volunteers at the start line and finish line for all applicable equipment and qualifications met. If you do not meet the qualifications and gear required, you will be disqualified from the awards.

Full-Gear Participation Types


Each firefighter participant is required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which meets current NFPA structural firefighting standards. Gear that is not issued by your department for structural firefighting must meet NFPA 1971 2007 for structural firefighting including. Required gear includes: boots, bunker pants and coat (liners intact), gloves, helmet and air tank. No tools will be allowed on the event course including tool belt, axe, pike pole, etc.

Full-Gear & On-Air Participation Types

Our on-air requirement will require firefighter participants to have their full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on and be hooked up to their tank for the entirety of the event. We will NOT have a bottle changing station, and you must be on air the entire 32 floors to qualify for the on-air category.

Helmets & Packs Only:


Each Helmets & Packs participant is required to use gear which meets current NFPA structural firefighting standards. Gear that is not issued by your department for structural firefighting must meet NFPA 1971 2007 for structural firefighting. The only required and accepted gear includes helmet & air tank. Air tanks are not required to be filled, though preferred to add additional weight for the competition.

Please note:

  • Any equipment that you take onto the course must make the trip to the finish with you. No gear may be discarded at any point of the course.
  • It is the intent of these gear requirements to ensure fairness within the competition. Each participant will be briefly checked prior to entering the stairwell to ensure proper equipment is worn during the course of the event.
  • If a complaint is filed with the event manager, it will be investigated. If it is deemed that an infraction has occurred, the participant’s time will not be eligible for any individual or team awards. Please email BuffaloClimb@Lung.org with any questions.