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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – With whistles blowing, crowds cheering and competitors pushing themselves to new heights, the 2025 World Police and Fire Games are well underway—and Pelham is right in the heart of the action.

The games, which began on Friday, June 27 and continue through Sunday, July 6, have brought thousands of first responders from across the globe to the Birmingham metro area, including a heavy concentration of events in Pelham. Hosting venues include Oak Mountain State Park, which is handling cycling, swimming and boating events, and the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, the exclusive site for ice hockey.

The scope of the games is immense. More than 8,500 athletes from over 70 countries are competing in over 1,600 medal events—making it one of the largest international sporting events of the year and a powerful display of athleticism and unity among police, firefighters, corrections officers and other public safety personnel.

Pelham Fire Chief Mike Reid said the opportunity to host is both an honor and a reflection of Pelham’s capabilities.

“This whole event is a great time to come out and watch some of the best athletes in public safety compete and also have a great time with your brothers and sisters in red and blue,” Reid said. “We are a big fraternity of public servants who love to compete at everything we do.”

Pelham’s own fire department is taking the competition to heart—fielding a local hockey team in the tournament and sending several firefighters into the Ultimate Firefighter competition, a grueling series of physical challenges designed to replicate real-life emergency response scenarios.

“At least three to five Pelham firefighters are competing in the Ultimate Firefighter competition,” Reid said. “Their above-and-beyond mentality embodies the qualities that make them exceptional in their roles.”

The Ultimate Firefighter competition has been a highlight of the early days, drawing large crowds to see participants climb, haul, sprint and rescue their way through events designed to push even elite athletes to their limits.

Meanwhile, the Pelham Civic Complex has been buzzing with international ice hockey competition. The games are fast-paced and intense, showcasing the camaraderie and fierce competitiveness that define the WPFG spirit.

Beyond Pelham, events are taking place daily across the region—from judo at Boutwell Auditorium to open water swims at Oak Mountain and shooting competitions at CMP Talladega. According to the official schedule, crowd favorites like soccer, basketball, crossfit, stair racing and boxing are in full swing this week.

Opening ceremonies were held in downtown Birmingham and drew thousands of athletes, families and spectators, setting the tone for a week of high-energy, high-character competition.

Despite the summer heat, the spirit of the games has remained strong. Volunteers, venue staff and public safety agencies have worked tirelessly to ensure smooth logistics and a welcoming environment.

Pelham residents still have plenty of chances to catch the action live, especially at Oak Mountain State Park and the Civic Complex. Full schedules and event updates are available at bhm2025.com.

As the games continue, Chief Reid encourages the community to show up, cheer loud, and take pride in Pelham’s role on this international stage.

“We’ve worked hard to make this a success,” Reid said. “But more than anything, it’s just incredible to see our public servants celebrated like this—for who they are and all they give.”