Igor Ogarko from fire and rescue unit No. 32 won the annual “Vertical Challenge” competition in Novosibirsk. Firefighters raced to the 30th floor of the “Chicago” residential complex while wearing 30 kilograms of equipment.

The competition saw 49 registered participants, with two additional individuals running outside of the competitive bracket. The event, organized by the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the region, also featured a safety town in the residential complex’s courtyard. Residents and guests could explore fire and rescue vehicles, learn first aid techniques, and try on firefighter gear.

Pavel Vinakov, head of the press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for the Novosibirsk region, highlighted the opportunity for participants to run in both lightened form and full gear outside of the official competition. The high-speed ascent competition was held for the first time in the Chicago residential complex, previously being organized in the “Yasny Bereg” residential complex at a lower height.

Alexey Beletsky from fire and rescue unit No. 12 secured third place, while Ivan Alferov from fire and rescue unit No. 1 finished in second place. Before the race, rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and MASS (Municipal Rescue Service) engaged in rigorous training, including a demonstration evacuation of a “victim” from a height utilizing both a fire ladder and ropes.