International Firefighters Day

May 4, 2020 was International Firefighters’ Day. We want to send our deepest gratitude to the men and women that don the uniform and to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.

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Birmingham Awarded 2025 World Police & Fire Games

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 6, 2020) – The World Police and Fire Games Federation has awarded the 2025 World Police and Fire Games to Birmingham, Alabama, officials announced today. The decision comes following a presentation to the Federation’s Board of Directors by the Birmingham Bid Committee, which was led by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Birmingham, and Jefferson County.

“From the beginning, we were impressed by all that Birmingham has to offer,” said LC Collins, World Police and Fire Games President. “We believe that this city is the whole package – from its venues, infrastructure and history of hosting major events, to its entertainment, dining, and attractions. This is a special place, and we are confident that our first responders, spectators and their families are going to be a part of an event to remember.”

The 2025 World Police and Fire Games, which will take place June 27 to July 6, will feature more than 10,000 first responders competing in 1,600 medal events. The full lineup of sports will be announced in the future but is expected to include more than 55 disciplines, ranging from more traditional offerings like cycling, golf, softball and angling, to unique competitions like ‘ultimate firefighter,’ ‘toughest competitor alive,’ CrossFit, stair climb,  and dragon boat. Events will be hosted at more than 35 venues across the city and will be free and open for all spectators.

“Birmingham is thrilled to open its doors to the 2025 World Police and Fire Games,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. “We’re a city that thrives on the spirit of competition. When our world begins to return to a place of normalcy post-quarantine, it’s events like the World Police and Fire Games that will offer the camaraderie and celebration our residents are currently craving. It will be an incredible way to keep Birmingham’s momentum rolling following The World Games in 2022.”

“It’s exciting to be able to look past COVID-19 to a time when we will be able have events again,” added Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons, “The World Police and Fire Games is expected to have an economic impact of $75 million on the Birmingham region and will showcase our home to over 150,000 people between athletes, supporters and spectators. I’m confident that we will be prepared to host in 2025, especially following our expected success of The World Games in 2022.”

Founded in 1987 as a biennial international sporting event, the World Police and Fire Games celebrates the service and dedication of first responders across the globe, and unites them to participate in a wide range of fierce-but-friendly athletic competitions equally built on competitiveness and comradery.

The 2025 World Police and Fire Games will further establish Birmingham as a premier sports event destination, building on the success of the city’s large-scale sporting events such as the 2017 National Senior Games and The World Games 2022.

“With The World Games 2022 and the 2025 World Police and Fire Games, Birmingham will host two of the top international amateur sports events in a four-year period, further establishing our area as an international sports destination,” John Oros, Jr., president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, said. “These events and others of smaller size contribute heavily to our community’s economy and underline the importance of travel and tourism in the greater Birmingham area.”

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Save the Date for the 2021 Championships!

The dates for the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships have officially been scheduled!! Please join us in sunny San Diego June 10-19, 2021.

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Thank You, 2020 Athletes

The team at CPAF and USPFC would like to recognize and THANK all the dedicated athletes who had already committed to participate in the 2020 Championships. Although it was a difficult decision to cancel this year’s Games due to the pandemic, we already had great commitment from our athletes:

  • 415 athletes
  • From 18 states
  • Representing 143 agencies

Keep training, we look forward to seeing you in 2021!

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2025 World Police & Fire Games Awarded

Can you guess the city based on the famous people that were born there?

  • Famed actress Nell Carter
  • NBA Superstar Charles Barkley
  • MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays
  • 1996 FIS World Champion and 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist Picabo Street

Congratulations to Birmingham, Alabama. The USPFC Team welcomes you as a WPFG Host City and we look forward to being in Birmingham in 2025.
For more information CLICK HERE

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Athlete Profie: Meet Jennifer Martin

No Championships this year means we don’t have the chance to catch up as well as meet and get to know our rookies.   So, we are reviving the Athlete Profile of the eNewsletter to give us the opportunity to get to know and share elements of you with the operational team in San Diego and each other.

Our first athlete is Pembroke Pines Police Department Sergeant, Jennifer Martin.  Jennifer grew up in Florida and decided to serve as she followed in her father’s footsteps into Public Safety.  He is now retired, but was a Special Agent with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

Jennifer is a five-year swimming veteran of the World Police & Fire Games and only recently began competing in the United States Police & Fire Championships; winning an astonishing 18 Gold medals. Jennifer started competing at 8 years old when her mother asked if she wanted to join the swim team during the summer to keep busy igniting a love of the sport and for the competition. “I love testing my body and seeing how far I can push myself,” says Jennifer.  Jennifer was also slated to be the Swimming Sport Coordinator at the 2020 US Police and Fire Championships.

In order to stay competition ready, Jennifer’s training consists of swimming, running and weightlifting; training between 3-4 hours a day. “I’m a big proponent of ‘abs are made in the kitchen’. I stick to a very high protein diet. Low sugar and carbs, with a cheat meal every week.”

Jennifer credits her swim Coach, Chris Anderson, with much of her success. With the ever-changing schedule of a law enforcement officer, he always makes sure she has pool time and has made her a better swimmer today than she was twenty years ago.

“I am looking forward to being a Sport Coordinator for swimming and excited about Rotterdam next year.”

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming eNewsletter, email STEVEN BLOCKER

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PASTA RECIPE: MAC & CHEESE

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack (Or any combo of cheese you desire. Monterey Jack is recommended)
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta , cut into small cubes
2 large eggs , lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly or spray non-stick Pam butter on a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
  2. Bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is tender, about 7-9 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain and return to the cooking pot.
  3. In a separate saucepan, melt eight tablespoons of the butter and Stir into the macaroni.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and place a small amount of butter, about a tablespoon on top of the cheese.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees until the dish is bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve while hot and enjoy your dish.
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PASTA RECIPE: PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:

1 Large bag of bowtie pasta
1/2 lb. of cherry tomatoes cut in half long ways
1/4 lb. feta cheese
1-1 1/2 lb. of spinach
Italian Dressing

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain
2. Combine with tomatoes, spinach and cheese
3. Drizzle Italian Dressing over until lightly coated.
4. Salt and Pepper to taste

Recipe Submitted by Steven Blocker

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PASTA RECIPE: ELBOW MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

Timing

Total Time: 75 Min
Prep Time: 30 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Rest Time: 15 Min

Ingredients:

16 oz Large Elbow Macaroni
16 oz Tomato Sauce (I prefer 2 – 8oz cans for easy distribution)
32 oz Cottage Cheese
1 1/2 lbs Cheddar Cheese (I prefer Sharp Cheddar, but Mild or Medium is ok)

Directions:

  1. In a large pot, boil water and cook noodles following package instructions. Cooking a little al dente will prevent mushy pasta in the dish.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  3. In an approximately 4.8 quart baking dish, layer the ingredients in the following order: Half the Pasta, Half the Cottage Cheese, Half the Tomato Sauce, Half the Cheddar Cheese. Then repeat layers.
  4. Bake for 30 min or until cheese starts to brown and bubble.
  5. Remove from oven and let rest for 10-15 mins.

Enjoy!

Recipe Submitted by Ben Orgovan-Lee

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