Crime & Safety

Rochester-Area Firefighters Climb 1,035 Stairs — For a Cause

Firefighters from Rochester and Rochester Hills were part of the Fight for Air Climb at the Detroit Renaissance Center.

Firefighters from Rochester and Rochester Hills climbed 70 flights of stairs while wearing 50 to 75 pounds of gear this weekend.

They weren't responding to a fire but they were saving lives: the local firefighters joined hundreds at Detroit's Renaissance Center on Sunday for the Fight for Air Climb Firefighter Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the American Lung Association.

The climb of 1,035 stairs is timed. 

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Rochester-area crew included seven members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department and one from the City of Rochester, according to Rochester Hills Fire Chief Ron Crowell. In all the team raised more than $1,600 in donations.  

The event had a special meaning for Rochester Hills Firefighter Kevin Palaian, who climbed for his Uncle Mike, who is fighting lung cancer.  During the climb, Palaian had a picture of his uncle stuck to the front of his fire helmet.

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The team included Ross Drouillard, Dan Cooper, Al Rojas, Sean Milliken, Derek Boutin, Kevin Palaian, Brian Molnar and Pat McMahon.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Rochester-Rochester Hills