Let the Games Begin

2015 World Police and Fire Games take over Northern Virginia June 26-July 5. –Victoria Gaffney

The second-largest international sporting event after the summer Olympics, the World Police and Fire Games will host 12,000 service members from over 70 countries in NoVA this month. A chance encounter at the 1997 Games in Stockholm sparked a friendship between two service members who have been instrumental in bringing the Games to the capital region. Thanks to Fairfax County Police Department 2nd Lt. Bruce Blechl and Fairfax County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerome Williams, the Games are taking place in the heart of NoVA. The Games of Heroes runs from June 26 through July 5.

“You have the athletic competition. That’s one thing. But it’s also the camaraderie and the fellowship associated with the Games itself, which is the biggest draw. You can pull up next to someone in Sweden or anywhere in Europe and you realize you still face the same challenges worldwide. It’s getting to learn best practices and policies and how people do this same job maybe a little differently in their approach and what benefits your department or even the community overall.” – 2nd Lt. Bruce Blechl on bringing the Games to Fairfax

Get Involved

NoVA spectators will have the opportunity to experience an international sporting event on a grand scale. Unlike the Olympic Games, however, there is no cost for attendance. Come see public service members and heroes from around the globe compete in everything from traditional sports like running and swimming to more nontraditional endeavors such as paintball and wrist wrestling. Perhaps the most exciting are the service-specific games such as the stair climbing race and K-9 competitions. The opening ceremonies will be held on June 26 at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, and the closing ceremonies will be held on July 5 at Wolf Trap.

A great way for NoVA residents to get involved on teams themselves is by volunteering at the games. The program, the Spirit of the Games, includes opportunities in language services, media, spectator seating, accreditation and roles such as Parade Marshall and Games Ambassador.

(June 2015)