Montclair Firefighters' Powerful Lungs Give Them Boost In Contest

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Members of the Montclair Fire Department recently took first place in the annual “Fight for Air” fundraising competition at 1 Gateway Center in Newark.

Competitors had to run up 28 flights of stairs in full turnout gear with air tanks on their backs, according to town officials. It’s no easy feat… a firefighter’s gear can weigh anywhere between 60 and 80 pounds.

The winner of the competition is the team with the lowest combined time. The event benefits the American Lung Association, town officials said.

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Photo: Township of Montclair

Caption: From left, F/F Steve LoVecchio, F/F JaQuan Scott, Capt. Joe Burke, F/F Pete Albanese, F/F Anthony Virgil, F/F Chris Herrmann, F/F Kevin Palek, F/F Ibin Raheem, F/F Thomas Hargraves