Olympic-Style US Police & Fire Championships Return to San Diego
The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF), a non-profit organization committed to promoting sport and physical fitness among first responders, is thrilled to announce the 57th Annual US Police & Fire Championships taking place Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, June 15, 2024. Happening at more than 25 venues across San Diego County, the games will feature more than 35 different sports including bench press, dodgeball, air pistol, pickleball, rowing, baseball, bowling, golf, tennis, CrossFit®, and more.
“We are thrilled to be hosting our 57th season of the games in San Diego,” said Larry Collins, President of the California Police Athletic Federation. “Each sporting event offers athletes the opportunity to practice and exercise their physical and mental well-being alongside their peers. Now, the United States Police & Fire Championships have grown to be one of our most popular events for athletes across the country and truly exemplify our efforts to unite public safety personnel from varying backgrounds and cultures.
The US Police & Fire Championships are an Olympic-style competition for first responders and public safety personnel across the United States. Starting out as a means for first responders to improve their overall fitness, reduce stress and increase their professional abilities, the USPFC has grown substantially since its inception in 1967.
The annual games now draw thousands of athletes from law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, custom and correctional officers, as well as full-time employees (active and retired) of any eligible agency or organization in the capacity of 9-1-1 dispatchers, detention-custodial officers, crime scene investigators, or lifeguards. Last year, CPAF expanded their eligibility requirements opening the games to volunteer and part time firefighters, reserve law enforcement officers and peace officers, in good standing, of an eligible agency with a minimum of two years’ service.
Participating athletes from all departments get the opportunity to compete amongst their peers in a variety of Olympic-style games that offer the opportunity to celebrate the human spirit at its very best. These games provide a welcome connection between public safety personnel from varied backgrounds and cultures and offer the opportunity to develop camaraderie and celebrate their accomplishments.
For 2024, CPAF is thrilled to debut a new competition: Ultimate Firefighter. Introducing the event at the 2024 games is part of CPAF’s goal to offer more fire specific events to the new demographic of first responders, volunteer and part-time firefighters, who were included in the recent expansion of eligibility requirements.
“We can’t wait to debut Ultimate Firefighter at our 2024 games in San Diego,” said Jim King, Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation. “Although Ultimate Firefighter has been hosted at the World Police & Fire Games for decades, we are excited to grow the opportunities and events available to our dedicated athletes at the US Police & Fire Championships in San Diego.”
Ultimate Firefighter is comprised of four consecutive stages including a Hose Task, Weight and Strength, Obstacle Course and High Rise. The competition will allow fire personnel to showcase their skills through a series of physical and mental challenges that mimic real-life firefighting situations. Competing athletes will not only hone their firefighting skills and technique but will also improve their physical fitness and enhance their problem-solving abilities. Ultimate Firefighter will take place on Saturday, June 8 at the Heartland Fire Training Facility located at 1301 N. Marshall Avenue in El Cajon, CA 92020 and spectators are welcome to watch the thrilling competition.
The US Police & Fire Championships are one of four events that the California Police Athletic Federation presents in addition to the bi-annual World Police & Fire Games, the First Responders Relay and the new North American Fall Classic, which debuted last year. Registration for participation in the US Police & Fire Championships began January 15 and is currently still accepting registrations. To learn more about the California Police Athletic Federation and its games, please visit www.cpaf.org
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