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Rob Ratcliff was the Content and Community Manager of IFSEC Global.com. He is a self-confessed everyman in the world of security and fire, keen to learn from the global community of experts who have been a part of IFSEC for 40 years now.
The World Police and Fire Games are taking place in the British Isles for the first time.
The 20th World Police and Fire Games opened last night in Belfast, the first time the event has taken place in the British Isles.
The 10-day sporting event officially got underway at last night’s opening ceremony, in front of an audience of 14,000 people at King’s Hall. Over 7,000 competitors from police, fire, and prison services around the world are expected to take part in 56 sports, including the ultimate firefighter competition, the stair race, and the toughest competitor alive event, as well as more traditional sports such as tennis, cricket, and cycling.
The competition actually got underway over a week ago with the ice hockey, but the games are due to really kick into gear today with the start of swimming and track and field events.
Click the image for a gallery from the World Police and Fire Games. This gallery will be updated throughout the Games with new images.
The World Police and Fire Games is the third biggest multidiscipline sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the Paralympics. They first took place in 1985 in San Diego. This is only the third time the event has visited Europe.
Security concerns
The games take place in the shadow of recent clashes with Loyalist rioters in the city, and will be taking place under tight security. Extra police from other parts of the country are in the city to help with the operation. Organisers are keen to make sure that the games take place without incident, and emphasise that sport is the focus, not policing. They are tasking their 3,600 volunteers with helping them to deliver the “friendliest games ever”. There is also a hope that the games will enhance the image of emergency services with young people, and help to bring about increased respect for officers.
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World Police & Fire Games GalleryThe World Police and Fire Games are taking place in the British Isles for the first time. The 20th World […]
Robert Ratcliff
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
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batye
August 6, 2013 12:43 pm
interesting to know, I do hope this games will create more positive image and bring youth towards this field… as in Canada we do have a problem with finding right people as baby boomers retairing… and Police Officer/Security/Fireman is not an easy job… and young blood need for a field…
Definitely. I think that’s one of the major goals of the games, and I’m definitely rooting for this to succeed and to become a “thing”, you know? Maybe it might even be emulated elsewhere and all for the good of encouraging youths to consider this field.
I think the police and fire games is a good gesture but I really feel to give the people feel of what it actually do and convince them to join the ranks I suggest drills by the departments on country bases need to be included in the games and points / medals sgould be dedicated for that.
Mart
August 17, 2013 8:38 am
Just an update on the Games now that they have finished.
Northern Ireland hosted what was regarded as the best run and friendliest Games ever held, every event was well attended with approx 14,000 spectators watching a very competitive ice hockey competetion. The Games Flame was handed over to Fairfax, Virginia, USA. Could i finally say that the Games were a great advertisemant for the emergency services throughout the World and the NI economy benefited from them.
Great feedback, Mart. Yes, I heard they were hailed as the best and friendliest ever. They were a great ad for Belfast, even despite the final weekend’s events being somewhat overshadowed by the disturbances related to marching season. Did that dampen the end of the event at all?
Rob you are right. I just got carried away in the enthusiaism and support of such events. I think we need to give these people a time of rest and leisure and sports is such a fun if organized at such a big level. I do support these events 🙂
@ Rob
That is a good point! We hear all the time how we need more people who want to be police officers and firefighters, and at the same time we are hearing of so many of their jobs being cut.
interesting to know, I do hope this games will create more positive image and bring youth towards this field… as in Canada we do have a problem with finding right people as baby boomers retairing… and Police Officer/Security/Fireman is not an easy job… and young blood need for a field…
Definitely. I think that’s one of the major goals of the games, and I’m definitely rooting for this to succeed and to become a “thing”, you know? Maybe it might even be emulated elsewhere and all for the good of encouraging youths to consider this field.
Thing is when you look at all of the stories of redundancy and job cuts in fire and policing, then why would you want to join that profession?
The Games move all over the world. Not sure where they’re headed next, but maybe to a country near you!
That actually looks like it could be a lot of fun! I’ll be watching the image gallery with interest.
I think the police and fire games is a good gesture but I really feel to give the people feel of what it actually do and convince them to join the ranks I suggest drills by the departments on country bases need to be included in the games and points / medals sgould be dedicated for that.
Just an update on the Games now that they have finished.
Northern Ireland hosted what was regarded as the best run and friendliest Games ever held, every event was well attended with approx 14,000 spectators watching a very competitive ice hockey competetion. The Games Flame was handed over to Fairfax, Virginia, USA. Could i finally say that the Games were a great advertisemant for the emergency services throughout the World and the NI economy benefited from them.
I think the billiards event had my name all over it.
Great feedback, Mart. Yes, I heard they were hailed as the best and friendliest ever. They were a great ad for Belfast, even despite the final weekend’s events being somewhat overshadowed by the disturbances related to marching season. Did that dampen the end of the event at all?
Wow, that doesn’t sound quite as fun? Competition in the spirit of friendliness, surely not militarianism?
Rob you are right. I just got carried away in the enthusiaism and support of such events. I think we need to give these people a time of rest and leisure and sports is such a fun if organized at such a big level. I do support these events 🙂
Great to hear 😉
@ Rob
That is a good point! We hear all the time how we need more people who want to be police officers and firefighters, and at the same time we are hearing of so many of their jobs being cut.