Fifty-eight Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters are preparing to head to British Colombia, Canada to participate in one of the world's biggest sporting events; the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. They'll compete with thousands of fire fighting peers, police officers, correctional services and customs officers from around the globe, along with six additional firefighters from Adelaide Airport.
MFS Chief Officer, Grant Lupton says the games will be particularly special for MFS competitors this year, given his link to Canada as a past Deputy Fire Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia. "South Australia?s MFS and Airport firefighters will test their expertise in events such as athletics, swimming, triathlon, cycling, golf, dragon boats, muster, hose cart and bucket brigade. "In doing so, they will be forming bonds of friendship with people from different countries and cultures who hold similar life journeys and a shared work ethic," Mr Lupton says. Chief Officer Lupton says he wishes all South Australian fire fighting competitors well, and will be proud of any victory they may have over firefighters from his former Canadian workforce!
The World Police and Fire Games were established in 1985 by the Californian Police Athletics Federation as a way to develop global ties between firefighters and police officers. The games are held biennially, and were last held in Adelaide in 2007, attracting approximately 10 000 competitors and valuable tourism dollars.
The SAMFS World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) Club President, Bill Jamieson says the games are designed to be fiercely competitive but fun, as a way to foster new friendships. "The South Australian fire fighting team has worked and trained hard to reach the games, but would like to thank the public in helping to provide an opportunity to compete. "Over the last two years, firefighters have raised funds through sales of the Firefighters' Calendar, raffles, quiz nights and barbeques to help the team make it to the games," Mr Jamieson says.
Over the years, the SAMFS WPFG Club has donated some of the monies raised to the Women's and Children's Hospital's Burns Service, including a $25 000 donation in June. The World Police and Fire Games will begin in British Colombia on Friday, 31 July 2009 and those participating will make their way to Canada in the next few weeks.
