February 22, 2008

Crew participates in charity event

       After training for over two months, the crew from Engine 51 A-shift headed to downtown Indianapolis earlier this month to compete in the annual "Bop  to the Top" stair climb at the One America Tower.  For training purposes, they utilized the stairs at the new fire station to simulate the thirty-seven floors of stairs.  "Going up three stories, and back down will never quite equate to the thirty-seven floors straight up", remarked Lieutenant Joe Green from this year's team.  "I believe there were over 800 stairs in this event", he added.  During the competition, the crew members each wore full personal protective equipment that included air-packs and  breathing air.  The added weight and the difficulty of breathing compressed air through a mask created a challenge for each of the individuals.  However, the firefighters each enjoyed the added challenge and the unique "spin" they put on the event by wearing the extra gear.

         The 2008 Bop to the Top raised money for the Riley Children’s Foundation.  The department's team this year raised over $100 for the event, and plans to build that number ten-fold next year are already under way.  In fact Lieutenant Green has already put the word out:  "I want to challenge any team against our team next year". 

    This year's team, sponsored by "The Health Spot", consisted of the following members and their corresponding times:
 

 Joe Green  finished in 13:43

Rick Woehlecke finished in 16:14

Matt Myers finished in 11:17

Kyle Blue finished in 11:06
 
 

(Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo)
 
    

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