District 15 firefighters step up for MND in the Blue Mountains

Firefighter Frawley, Firefighter Ross, Firefighter Brown

 

Three CFA volunteers from District 15 travelled more than 800 kilometres from Victoria to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales to take on the 2026 Firies Climb for MND.

 

Firefighter Ethan Brown from Trentham Fire Brigade, Firefighter Imogen Ross from Linton Fire Brigade and Firefighter Lachie Frawley from Haddon Fire Brigade took part in the challenge at Scenic World in Katoomba on Saturday, 29 August. Firefighter Ross completed the climb for the second year in a row. 

All three brigades are part of CFA’s District 15 in the West Region, with the trio proudly representing their local brigades, district and CFA alongside firefighters and emergency service personnel from across Australia.

The Firies Climb for MND challenges participants to tackle the iconic Furber Steps in the Blue Mountains while raising funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Adding to the physical challenge, the three CFA members completed the event carrying firefighting equipment.

Imogen and Lachie completed the climb wearing CFA structural firefighting gear and carrying breathing apparatus (BA) cylinders, while Ethan completed the challenge wearing CFA wildfire gear and carrying a BA cylinder.

Ethan said taking part alongside fellow District 15 members made the experience even more memorable.

“It was an incredible experience to have three CFA volunteers from District 15 make the trip to New South Wales and take on the challenge together,” Ethan said.

“Although we come from three different brigades, we were there representing CFA, District 15 and our local communities for a cause that is much bigger than any of us.

“Imogen and Lachie did an amazing job completing the climb in their structural gear with BA cylinders. I completed it in wildfire gear with a BA cylinder, and carrying that cylinder certainly made you appreciate every step.”

Ethan said the difficulty of the challenge also served as a reminder of why the firefighters had made the journey to Katoomba.

“We chose to put the gear on, carry the cylinders and push ourselves through the climb, but at the end we could take that equipment off and recover,” he said.

“For people living with MND, there isn't that same finish line.

“When things became difficult, remembering why we were climbing gave us the motivation to keep going.”

MND is a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. As the disease progresses, people can lose their ability to move, speak, swallow and breathe.

There is currently no cure for MND.

The Firies Climb brings together firefighters and supporters from across Australia to raise funds for MND research and help researchers continue the search for effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

For Imogen, Lachie and Ethan, the trip also highlighted the camaraderie that exists across the fire and emergency services community.

Firefighters from different brigades, agencies and states came together in Katoomba with a common goal – supporting people living with MND and their families.

Next challenge already on the horizon.

There won’t be much time for the three District 15 firefighters to rest their legs, with another major challenge awaiting them just 14 days after completing the Firies Climb for MND.

Ethan, Imogen and Lachie will once again pull on their firefighting gear to take part in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, joining hundreds of firefighters and emergency service personnel in tackling the 28 floors of Crown Metropol.

The annual Melbourne event sees participants climb hundreds of stairs carrying firefighting equipment, raising funds and awareness for important causes while demonstrating the camaraderie and determination of the emergency services community.

For the District 15 trio, it will mean two firefighter stair-climbing challenges in two states within the space of just two weeks – first taking on the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, before returning home to tackle Melbourne’s vertical challenge.

With the Katoomba climb now behind them, the three CFA volunteers have just 14 days to recover before once again stepping up for a cause.

After completing the challenge, the three volunteers returned to Victoria with tired legs, a sense of achievement and plenty of memories from their interstate adventure.

For the District 15 trio, every step was worth it.

From Trentham, Linton and Haddon to the Blue Mountains – three CFA volunteers, three brigades and one cause: a future without MND.

 

Submitted by	Ethan Brown