Paramedic and volunteer firefighter Phil Jaboor will take on one of Victoria’s toughest emergency-service fundraising events in September, climbing 28 flights of Melbourne’s Crown Metropol in full operational gear as part of the 13th Annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.

The event, on September 12, brings together firefighters and emergency-service personnel from across Australia and overseas to raise money for cancer research and crisis-support services. 

Participants climb while carrying up to 25 kilograms of equipment, symbolising the physical and mental burdens people may face.

For Mr Jaboor, who has volunteered with Horsham Fire Brigade since 2023 while working full-time as a paramedic, the challenge is about more than physical fitness.

“I like to challenge myself – firefighting takes a lot of physical and mental fitness,” he said.

“The stair climb brings awareness to the struggles faced by so many people.”

Mr Jaboor balances his commitments to the CFA around a four-days-on, four-days-off paramedic roster, responding to fire calls whenever possible.

Preparation for the stair climb has been intense; he swims five kilometres six times a week, weight trains up to five days weekly, and has added YMCA step classes and some stair machine work to build leg strength and endurance.

“I’m not a fan of the stair-machine,” he said.

“But it’s helping – it’s all about engine and endurance.”

While this is his first stair climb, Mr Jaboor said it did not take much to convince him to join in.

“The captain sent me a text asking if I was doing it,” he said.

“I thought about it for a of couple days and thought, why not? That’ll be fun.”

The additional 25 kilograms of gear – including firefighting gear and breathing apparatus – will add another layer of difficulty to the challenge.

“It’s a bit brutal, but there’s one way to find out if my training has paid off,” Mr Jaboor said.

He also said there was a personal significance to participating – having been in emergency services for a decade he has seen the impacts of mental health on his colleagues and their families.

“Events like these help raise awareness and support services such as Lifeline, which are important for our community,” he said.

Community support has already been strong, with Mr Jaboor individually and the Horsham Fire Brigade sitting among the event’s top-10 fundraisers ahead of the climb. 

Their efforts are helping raise funds for Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and 000Foundation.

Anyone wishing to support Mr Jaboor or the Horsham Fire Brigade can make a donation at the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb website, www.firefighterclimb.org.au.

• Anyone experiencing mental-health issues can call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Lifeline, 131 114, or Kids Helpline, 1800 551 800.

– Holly Camilleri

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