Birmingham, AL – Two exciting, action-packed sporting events are converging in Birmingham, Alabama in 2025! For
the first time in its 33-year history, the TFT® Firefighter Challenge will be hosted as an official sport in the 2025 World
Police & Fire Games.
“We are honored to be collaborating with the World Police & Fire Games”, says Russell A. Jackson, Chief Executive
Officer of the First Responder Institute. “The admiration we have for their incredible sporting event goes without saying,
and to give firefighters around the world an opportunity to experience the best of what both organizations offers is
very exciting.”
The Birmingham Host Committee for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games is thrilled to announce this partnership as
well. “Once again the Birmingham Host Committee for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games is excited to partner with
Russell Jackson and his team. Bringing the Southeast Regional Classic to compete alongside the world’s First
Responders will be an incredibly exciting first-time addition to the WPFG,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of the 2025 World
Police & Fire Games.
Firefighters in the SERVPRO® Firefighter Challenge League (FCL) will converge in the Greater Birmingham Area to
compete in the 2025 Southeast Regional Classic of the TFT® Firefighter Challenge Championship Series, during the
course of the BHM 2025 World Police & Fire Games. The public will have a front row seat to witness the physical
talents of these public safety professionals in action on the LION® Arena of the Brave challenge course, deemed by
ESPN as ‘the toughest two minutes in sports.’
Competitors from the designated Southeast states of the FCL will be vying for Southeast titles and records while
firefighters from anywhere in the world will be vying for overall honors. “Many of our incredible firefighter athletes train
year-round to not only perform at their best in this competition but to also be at their best when responding to your
911 emergency”, said Jackson. “This is their opportunity to have fun, earn some bragging rights for their fire
department, and to help inspire the next generation of firefighters.”
TFT® Firefighter Challenge competitors will have an early glimpse into all that Birmingham has to offer during the
2024 Firefighter Challenge US Nationals at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, to be held September 25 – 28, 2024 in
Hoover, Alabama. Firefighters will run the job skills-based course tackling what are known as the Five Essential
Functions™ wearing full turnout gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus provided by 3M™ Scott Fire & Safety.
Participants have three main categories to compete in: individual, tandem (2-person), and relay (3-5 person).
Competitions simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping,
dragging hoses, and rescuing a life-sized, 175-pound “victim” as they race against themselves, their opponents, and
the clock.

Before the 2025 World Police and Fire Games planning and promotion can proceed, the WPFG Federation leadership needed to visit proposed venues and meet with the Birmingham team to approve plans. Birmingham did not disappoint!

The Birmingham Host Committee was honored to host the WPFG Federation and teams from the 2023 Winnipeg WPFG & 2027 Perth WPFG organizers for an action-packed week to show them what the Magic City has in store. Important information was shared with the closing report from the 2023 Winnipeg Host Committee, as well as a preview from the 2027 Host Committee.

The daily Federation meetings concentrated on details for all aspects of producing this massive first responder event and how the city will roll out the red carpet. Areas beyond sports included athlete recruitment & ambassador program, special events including the opening and closing ceremonies, athletes village, press and media relations, government relations & public safety involvement.

The midday venue tours allowed our visitors and partners to view the city and its top-tier sport & entertainment venues. The group enjoyed walking through the downtown area and the BJCC which will be the hub of activity. The Birmingham team assisted as tour guides through the entire experience.

Evening events included a welcome social at Cahaba Brewing Company and gatherings at The Club and Le Fresca. On other nights we provided detailed entertainment information and allowed our visitors to explore and sample the city. The reviews are in, and they love Birmingham!

The intense work week with the Federation helped finalize many aspects of our hosting plans and the team is now putting the wheels in motion. Watch for more announcements in coming months as the excitement grows for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games!