Firefighter Challenge
Join Us
Rally your department for a fun challenge, and compete against neighboring departments and towns throughout the local area to bring home the coveted Firefighter Challenge Trophy. Other benefits include:
- Build stamina
- Build upper body strength
- Access a training location
- Build physical and mental confidence
- Increase lung disease awareness
- Increase knowledge of early detection
- Increase knowledge of available resources
- Healthy competition with other fire stations and departments
- Build community trust
- Make a real difference
The mission of the American Lung Association hits close to home with firefighters because of the increased susceptibility to lung disease. Have your department join us at your local Fight For Air Climb to fund a world free from lung disease.
Please see below for explanation of your participation types, awards, and gear requirements.
Gear Requirements
Full-gear: Nationwide, each 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 Pants, Coats, and Helmet.
**PLEASE NOTE** You must be a certified firefighter to compete in the firefighter division. You must show ID at check in. To be eligible for Firefighter Division individual medals, awards and team prizes, you MUST wear "Turnout gear", pants and jacket with liners, helmet, boots, gloves (not including mask, hood and SCBA.) All gear should be NFPA 1971 compliant. No tools will be permitted in the stairwell. Otherwise, please compete as an individual Climber or in the First Responder Division.
Awards
Team Awards – There must be a minimum of three teams within a category for the Lung Association to include an award.
- Teams must consist of three climbers to be eligible.
- Fastest team times - The average of the top three individuals within a team are counted towards the award OR throw out the high and low individual times on a team if more than three and average the remaining times OR other local way of handing (this is handled differently locally edit this bullet as applicable)
Health Concerns & Resources
- Respiratory diseases remain a significant health issue for firefighters and first responders.
- In the line of duty, firefighters may experience occupational exposure to gases, chemicals, particulate and other substances with potentially damaging short and long-term effects on the respiratory system.
- Firefighters are at a high risk of developing chronic issues, including lingering cough, hoarseness, asthma, and allergies, and in more extreme cases, may be diagnosed with lung or bronchial cancer.
- As an evolving concern, PFAs, which are chemicals found in a variety of places and products, including drinking water, soil, food packaging, and household products, as well as in firefighter gear, may be a concern for you or your department.
- The American Lung Association is monitoring the issue, reviewing available research on the topic, and are in talks with a representative selection of firefighters who participate in our Fight For Air Climbs nationwide, to get perspectives and feedback.
- As such, we have added a modified-gear and a no-gear option to the Firefighter Challenges nationwide. We will continue to follow this issue closely and will evolve our events to ensure the highest level of health and safety for all participants.