Open to first responders across the nation, the 57th Annual US Police & Fire Championships will feature more than 35 Olympic-style competitions taking place at more than 25 venues throughout the county. The California Police Athletic Federation is a nonprofit committed to promoting sport and physical fitness among first responders. To date, first responders are coming from all over California and over 20 different states for the June 8 through June 15 competitions, which include sports such as bench press, dodgeball, pickleball, rowing, archery, baseball, golf, tennis, CrossFit, ice hockey, soccer, cycling, swim, surf, track & field, and more. More are expected, as last year this event brought in first responders from 38 states.
“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.”
CPAF Executive Director Edmund Russell said the event is for first responders and has opened up competitions to its civilian supporters who work alongside, such as 911 dispatchers, crime scene techs and analysts, custodial officers, lifeguards, reserve officers, and volunteer firefighters to name a few.
“This event was created in 1967 right here in San Diego, California by a man called Duke. He was a San Diego Police Seargent Veon ‘Duke’ Nyhus and wanted to start something for first responders for physical fitness and wellness to get officers out there to compete against each other. It turned from 300 to 400 participants to where it is today. It has been up to as high as 6,000 in the early 2000s,” he said. “Right now, we should be around 2,800 to 3,000 this year.”
Russell said now it has 38 sports, with about 28 venues in the San Diego County area, with a couple of events being held outside the county, with a few sports at Mammoth, Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
“We have volunteers. We have the opportunity for the public to come out free of charge. When people get out there, that actually see that police and firefighters are human beings too. We have a job to do, and it is a tough job. Police must make split-second decisions out in the field, as well as firefighters as they are putting out fires. It is difficult.”
To see the game schedules, venues, visit www.cpaf.org/uspfc- sports, click on the sport of choice, and find all the details of the competitions.