30+ First Responder Teams Will Climb at #1 Fight For Air Climb

200 firefighters, police and other first responders will engage in some friendly competition to help fight lung disease at the 12th annual American Lung Association in Wisconsin (ALA.W) Fight For Air Climb on March 7, 2020.

In the Anthem Firefighter Challenge, uniformed firefighters, police, and rescue workers race up 94 flights of stairs at the U.S. Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee while loaded down with up to 70lbs. of gear. 

While the teams predominantly represent fire departments throughout the state, the popularity of the event has grown to include other first responders, including several law enforcement agencies. 

The teams compete against each other in four categories: fastest team score, fastest individual score, highest individual fundraiser and highest fundraising team.

Megan Cordova, Executive Director of the ALA.W said, “For many climbers, the Anthem Firefighter Challenge is the highlight of the event.  They bring so much energy and comradery – you can just feel it in the room.  We are so grateful to every single one of them for participating and to Anthem for putting their signature on this key feature of the Climb.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is the Fight for Air Climb’s presenting sponsor and the title sponsor of the Anthem Firefighter Challenge.

“The Firefighter Challenge has become a cherished annual tradition, not to mention a remarkable showcase of the dedication and professionalism of Wisconsin’s first responders,” said Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin President Paul Nobile. “I admire every one of the thousands of climbers that turn out for the Climb and raise much-needed funds for healthy lungs, but seeing these women and men climbing nearly 100 flights of stairs with 70 pounds of gear is a sight to behold.”

Teams currently registered for the 2020 event are listed by county (Fire Departments in black, Law Enforcement in Red):

Dane – Cambridge, Fitchburg, Madison, Monona, Mount Horeb, Sun Prairie
Kenosha – Somers, Village of Salem; Gateway Technical College Law Enforcement Academy
La Crosse – Town of Campbell
Milwaukee  (city) – Milwaukee,  Milwaukee Junior Fire Institute, Fire Slayers (Mitchell Int’l Airport), Milwaukee PD, Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, Milwaukee DA’s
Milwaukee (suburbs) -- Franklin, Greenfield, Hales Corners, New Berlin, South Milwaukee, St. Francis, West Allis, Brookfield; Brown Deer, Glendale, Greenfield, Wauwatosa, West Allis
Ozaukee – Grafton, Mequon, Fredonia
Racine – Racine, City of Burlington, Pleasant Prairie, Tichigan, Wind Lake, Rochester, South Shore; Racine County Communications Center
Sheboygan – Kohler, Sheboygan
Washington – West Bend, Richfield
Waukesha – Brookfield, Waukesha, Lake Country, Eagle
State of Wisconsin – Wisconsin State Patrol

For more information on individual teams and links to their team pages, please contact Annie Shuey, 262-703-4833.

Since 2013, the Milwaukee Climb has received the honor of being ranked #1 in the nation among Fight For Air Climbs, beating out much larger cities such as Denver, Chicago and Boston.   That distinction included both the total number of participants as well as the amount of money raised.  The 2020 Climb is on track to maintain that #1 status with goals of 2,900 climbers, 460 teams and $750,000 in fundraising.

The 2020 Fight For Air Climb will take place at the U.S. Bank Center in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, March 7 starting at 6:00a.m. and continuing until all climbers finish.  To register, please visit www.FightForAirClimb/Milwaukee.  Registration fee is $25; an additional $100 fundraising minimum is required to participate. 

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare) and Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company (WCIC). BCBSWi underwrites or administers PPO and indemnity policies and underwrites the out of network benefits in POS policies offered by Compcare or WCIC; Compcare underwrites or administers HMO or POS policies; WCIC underwrites or administers Well Priority HMO or POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Well Priority is a service mark of Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at www.anthem.com.