Brighton Firefighters 'Fight for Air' During Annual Stair Climb in Detroit

They weren't responding to a fire but they were saving lives: Brighton'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, 12 Brighton firefighters climbed more than 1,000 steps of Michigan's tallest building, led by team captain Derrick Bunge and Fire Chief Mike O'Brian. In total, the team raised $3,421.50 for the American Lung Association. 

This was Brighton's second year participating in the Firefighter Challenge event. 

"It's a good way for us to raise money for education and knowledge about lung cancer and lung disease," Bunge said. "Firefighters are affected with lung problems and breathing problems more than anyone else just due to the environment we're put in. It's also kind of a tribute to those that fell in 9/11."

Stair-climbing results for Brighton firefighters are:

Overall, participants raised $234,190 during the 2013 Fight for Air Climb.