The upcoming Fight For Air Climb Miami event on March 9 will see hundreds of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighters ascend 1,700 stairs at loanDepot park. This initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for individuals living with lung disease. The firefighters, many donning turnout gear weighing up to 70 pounds, are participating in the "Battle of the Battalions," part of a continued commitment by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 to the South Florida community.
William McAllister IV, Local 1403 union president, emphasized the significance of lung health for firefighters: “Lung health and air quality have always been important for firefighters and emergency responders. Our job puts us at a higher risk of developing chronic issues and respiratory disease.” He added that lung disease affects numerous families in South Florida who deal with conditions such as childhood asthma and lung cancer. “Participating in the Climb is a way to show up for them and make a difference,” he said.
Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 has sponsored the Fight For Air Climb Miami since its inception 21 years ago. Last year, they launched the Battle of the Battalions challenge to commemorate their two-decade-long commitment to lung health. Their efforts led them to become the top fundraising firefighter team nationwide, raising nearly $25,000.
Irv Rosenbaum from the Lung Association’s South Florida Leadership Board praised their dedication: “Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 has gone above and beyond the call of duty by championing lung health in our South Florida community for more than twenty years.”
Firefighters face increased risks for lung diseases due to exposure to harmful substances during their duties. These risks can result in conditions ranging from coughs and asthma to severe illnesses like COPD and cancer.
During this year's event, IAFF Local 1403 will also host the Fourth Annual Firefighter Challenge—a four-obstacle endurance course open to all participants.
The Fight For Air Climb Miami invites participation from across South Florida. Registration costs $35 with a minimum fundraising requirement of $100. More details are available at ClimbMiami.org.
Acknowledgments go out to Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 as well as local sponsors including Memorial Cancer Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Economos Properties, among others.