By Staff Writer Dave Domezik
PELHAMThe 2025 World Police and Fire Games are well underway, and Pelham is right in the thick of things with whistles blowing, spectators cheering, and athletes pushing themselves to new limits.
Beginning on Friday, June 27 and lasting until Sunday, July 6, the games have drawn thousands of first responders from all over the world to the Birmingham metro region, with a significant number of events taking place in Pelham. The Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, the sole location for ice hockey, and Oak Mountain State Park, which hosts cycling, swimming, and boating competitions, are among the hosting locations.
The games have a huge scope. It’s one of the biggest international sporting events of the year, with over 8,500 athletes from more than 70 nations competing in more than 1,600 medal events. It’s also a potent demonstration of athleticism and solidarity among law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officials, and other public safety professionals.
According to Pelham Fire Chief Mike Reid, being given the chance to host is a privilege and a testament to Pelham’s abilities.
According to Reid, the entire event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy yourself with your red and blue siblings while also witnessing some of the top public safety athletes compete. As a large group of public servants, we enjoy competition in all that we do.
With a local hockey team competing in the event and multiple firemen participating in the Ultimate Firefighter competition—a demanding set of physical tasks meant to mimic actual emergency response situations—Pelham’s own fire department is taking the competition very seriously.
According to Reid, there are between three and five Pelham firefighters participating in the Ultimate Firefighter competition. They are remarkable in their roles because of their above-and-beyond mentality.
One of the highlights of the early days has been the Ultimate Firefighter competition, which attracts sizable crowds to watch competitors climb, carry, sprint, and rescue their way through tasks meant to test the capabilities of even the best athletes.
International ice hockey competition has been rife at the Pelham Civic Complex in the meantime. The tough and fast-paced games highlight the fierce competition and camaraderie that characterize the WPFG spirit.
Beyond Pelham, activities are happening every day around the area, including shooting contests at CMP Talladega, open water swims at Oak Mountain, and judo at Boutwell Auditorium. The official calendar states that popular sports including boxing, stair racing, basketball, crossfit, and soccer are all taking place this week.
Thousands of athletes, family, and spectators attended the opening ceremonies in downtown Birmingham, which set the tone for a week of intense competition with high moral standards.
The spirit of the games has not wavered in spite of the summer heat. Public safety organizations, venue employees, and volunteers have put in countless hours to guarantee seamless operations and a friendly atmosphere.
There are still many opportunities for Pelham locals to see the action live, particularly at the Civic Complex and Oak Mountain State Park. You can find complete schedules and event updates at bhm2025.com.
Chief Reid urges the community to attend the remaining games, cheer enthusiastically, and be proud of Pelham’s position on this global stage.
Reid stated, “We’ve put a lot of effort into making this a success.” Above all, though, it’s simply amazing to see our public officials honored in this way for their contributions and identity.
