Gov. Kay Ivey gears up for Birmingham 2025 World Police and Fire Games

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Some first responders are training for the competition of a lifetime. The 2025 World Police and Fire Games are coming to Birmingham from June 27 through July 6.

Gov. Kay Ivey wants Alabama to be well represented in the 2025 games. Police, firefighters and even crime scene investigators will go head-to-head with over 70 other countries around the world. Some have called the competition “The Olympic Games for first responders.” Over 8,000 athletes will compete in boxing, cycling and even weightlifting.

Ivey said the event is a global salute to first responders.

“I know we’ve got some of the toughest, most talented folks in the business,” Ivey said. “And frankly, I have no intention of seeing us get shown up in our own backyard.”

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor said for some, the event is much more than a rivalry.

“You’re building that camaraderie with that other agency,” Taylor said. “When you need them, and they need you, you’ve already broken that barrier down of who can do what. It’s so important when you get on the scene that you know these people.”

DJ Mackovets, CEO of the Birmingham Host Committee for the games, expects the games to rake in about $65 million. He said previous games have been hosted in Spain, Canada and Northern Ireland.

“They fly here. They stay in hotels. They eat. They drink. They shop all at their expense on top of them paying to register,” Mackovets said. “So these men and women first responders are really making an investment in our community when they come this summer.”

Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said its 200 park rangers are ready to compete.

“I think you can probably go ahead and plan to present the awards to us for the archery, the freshwater fishing and the cornhole. I think we’ve got those,” Blankenship said jokingly.

The games will be held across the greater Birmingham area from Oak Mountain State Park all the way to Legacy Arena downtown. The games are free to attend, but there is a $160 fee for athletes who want to register and compete. That price will go up June 1.

If you’re a first responder or if you’d just like to volunteer, you can click here for more information.