After nearly a decade of serving Victorian communities as a volunteer firefighter, Indian-origin Country Fire Authority (CFA) member Karthick Thanigaimani is preparing to take on one of Australia’s toughest charity challenges once again. On 12 September, he will participate in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb for the ninth time, combining physical endurance with a commitment to supporting important health and wellbeing causes.
Held annually at Melbourne’s Crown Metropol Hotel, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb brings together firefighters and emergency service personnel from across Australia and overseas. Participants climb 28 floors while wearing up to 25 kilograms of firefighting protective clothing and breathing apparatus, symbolising the physical and emotional demands faced by first responders every day.
For Thanigaimani, the event is about far more than completing a challenging climb. As a long-serving CFA volunteer, he has witnessed the impact that emergency incidents can have on firefighters, their families and the wider community. His participation reflects a commitment to raising awareness and funds for organisations supporting cancer research, mental health services and crisis intervention programs.
This year’s Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb aims to raise $1 million, with proceeds supporting Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000Foundation. The funds help deliver crisis support, cancer research, mental health initiatives and wellbeing programs for emergency service personnel and Australians facing difficult circumstances.
Thanigaimani’s dedication to community service extends well beyond the CFA. Over the years, he has also volunteered with Victoria’s State Emergency Service, served as a Justice of the Peace and supported the Mental Health Foundation Australia. Alongside his volunteer commitments, he has actively participated in multicultural and community initiatives across Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Working professionally in the information technology sector, Thanigaimani says volunteering has become an important part of his life. He has previously described his decision to join the CFA as being driven by a desire to give back to the community, with experiences ranging from local emergencies to supporting response efforts during the devastating 2019–20 Australian bushfires strengthening that commitment.
His involvement in the Firefighter Stair Climb also reflects a long-standing focus on mental health awareness. In previous campaigns, Thanigaimani encouraged Australians to speak openly about mental health challenges, noting that emergency service personnel are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents and that open conversations can play an important role in supporting wellbeing.
Since its launch in 2014, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb has raised more than $4.4 million for charities supporting cancer research, mental health and emergency services. The event continues to attract hundreds of firefighters, SES volunteers, paramedics and emergency responders who use the physical challenge to support causes that benefit both their colleagues and the wider Australian community.
As Thanigaimani prepares for his ninth climb, his participation highlights the important contribution made by volunteers who serve their communities both during emergencies and through charitable initiatives. His journey reflects the spirit of service shared by many Indian-Australians who continue to make meaningful contributions across emergency services, community organisations and public life in Australia.
