Thousands of volunteers needed for 2025 World Police and Fire Games

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) – The opening ceremony for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games is two weeks away, and organizers say they need thousands of volunteers.

First responders from around the world will be in Birmingham for a 10-day event where they will compete in 60 different sports. In order to help these athletes get around, stay hydrated and feel welcome, they need help from the community.

“In total of volunteers, we’re hoping for 2,500,” The 2025 WPFG Marketing Manger Paige Bagby said.

As of Wednesday, volunteer turnout was less than 50%.

“Right now, we’re just trying to fill the roster as fast as we can,” Bagby said.

Some of the sports that desperately need volunteers are:

• Push Pull
• CrossFit
• Ultimate Firefighter
• Toughest Competitor
• Stair Race
• Muster
• Bench Press

“Alabama knows southern hospitality and certainly can contribute in that way,” Bagby said.

Volunteers can be from all over Alabama, the country and the world. Organizers also need vendors for the event.

“Mayor Bell actually said it best when he said, ‘Beer and the Barons brought Birmingham back,” Eric Meyer said.

Meyer is the co-founder of Cahaba Brewery located in downtown Birmingham. His local brewery is a “Proud Host” for the 2025 WPFG. That means they’ll provide beers for Athlete Village and a space for teams to meet up before competing.

“The ability to showcase people what Birmingham has to offer, you can’t really pass up on that,” Meyer said.

Meyer also gets to showcase a talent and hobby of his – jujutsu.

“Being a firefighter doing jujutsu, getting the opportunity to compete is huge,” Meyer said.

Meyer will be representing Mountain Brook Fire station #2, and given he’ll be going up against fighters from other countries, he is also representing the United States of America.

“To be a firefighter for 22 years and to have this opportunity right here in Birmingham, I mean that’s huge to be able to represent the USA right here in town,” Meyer said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Click this link if you would like to help volunteer. More information on the World Police and Fire Games can be found on the event’s website.