Shelby Township Firefighters Race to Top of 2013 'Fight for Air Climb'

They weren't responding to a fire but they were saving lives: Shelby Township's 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.

Sweating and wearing 70 pounds of gear, nine Local 1338 Shelby Township firefighters climbed more than 1,000 steps of Michigan's tallest building, and with an overall team score (time) of 36:57.51, they finished first in Class I for the second year in a row.

"They make us really proud," said Fire Chief James Swinkowski. "The team works really hard and given the amount of people doing that physically challenging climb, it's a big accomplishment to win."

Finishing just one minute over the winning time, firefighter Steven Dettloff posted the best time within the Shelby team at 11:49.18.

That the highest time within the team was only 9 minutes more is proof of the team's physical capabilities, Swinkowski said.

"This stands as a physical testament to the seriousness our employees take with physical fitness," he said. "They train on their own time and are very motivated. Several more joined since last year and I hope even more get on board in the future."

Through its own fund-raising efforts, the team also contributed to the $266,151 total raised by the event for the American Lung Association.

The Shelby Township team included:

• Joe Rauchfleish (Captain)
• Jeff Becker
• Mike Catenaro
• Keith Clancy
• Steven Dettloff
• Warren Happell
• Steven Henion
• Jessica Manka
• Craig Sylvester

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