MFB firey beats Toughest Firefighter Alive in stair climb He took on the toughest firefighter in the world and won. Leading Firefighter Sam Bach did MFB proud in a recent stair climb against German firefighter Joachim Posanz, in town to promote the upcoming 12th World Firefighter’s Games. On February 29, the pair raced up Melbourne’s tallest office building, 120 Collins Street - a staggering 46 storey challenge. To increase the difficulty, both wore their turn-out gear and boots in the race. Joachim went first, followed by Sam 30 seconds later. At the finish line the stopwatches proved Sam was a cut above the current Toughest Firefighter Alive with a time of 6:47 compared to Joachim’s 7:07.
Toughest Firefighter Alive Joachim Posanz (right) on top of 120 Collins St with LFF Sam Bach.
Sam, who is currently stationed at the Bundoora Fire Station, is an active member of the MFB Running Club and has competed in the World Fire and Police Games on several occasions.
Joachim was gracious in defeat, but has challenged He received two bronze medals in New York, silver Sam to vie for the TFA title at the Games in Sydney and bronze in Vancouver and silver and gold in this October - a feat Sam is eager to achieve. Adelaide. Last year he completed the Eureka Stair Joachim, 39, was named the Toughest Firefighter Climb, a whopping 88 storeys, in just nine minutes. Alive at the 2010 World Firefighters Games in South The director of the World Firefighters Games Greg Hough, said he encouraged the healthy competition Korea. between firefighters from across the globe. He currently works 24-hour shifts at his local fire station in Germany and is also a trained paramedic. “Having the Toughest Firefighter Alive test his skills against Melbourne’s best, was a brilliant warm up to To earn the TFA title, Joachim completed a hose run the games and it gave local competitors like Sam and obstacle course in full firefighting kit and carrying the chance to check out the competition coming our a BA set. He also had to complete an 83-storey way in October,” he said. stair climb. There’s also a tower challenge where competitors are required to handle and pitch ladders The World Firefighter’s Games will be staged in Sydney from October 19 to 28, 2012. and to carry firefighting equipment up ropes. www.worldfirefightersgames.com