YORK, PA- The rapidly approaching 2014 York Can-Am Police-Fire Games has a reason for everyone in the ranks of emergency, protective and all first responders to sign up today and Get in the Game this summer!
Approximately 2,000 men and women from many types of public safety and first-responder agencies are expected to compete and enjoy camaraderie during this year’s Olympic-style Can-Am Police-Fire Games being held July 13-20 in York County, PA.
The eight-day event features approximately 60 events from soccer and horseshoes to triathlon and the new EMS Skills Competition.
The inclusion of the Emergency Medical Services-specific event is one of many ways the Games’ competitions open themselves up to far more first responders than the name of the Can-Am Police-Fire Games might indicate.
“The Can-Am Games EMS Skills Competition will strive to challenge, educate and entertain,” said Matt Giacopelli, Event Coordinator and Paramedic. “Teams of three will go for the gold and show what they do every day — the best they can to save a life.”
This event is designed to test a team’s skills in seven different stages. A team’s final score is based on proficiency and timeliness, with the major emphasis on proficiency.
Team scoring will be accomplished through standardized forms used by assigned judges and with computerized manikins. The event is limited to 15 teams of three individuals, and at least one team member must be a paramedic.
Competitors from more than 30 types of agencies are eligible for the Games. The Games are also open to the spouses of eligible first responders. Examples include:
- University and Campus Police and Fire Departments
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Border Patrol
- Attorney General Investigators
- Government-Employed Corrections Officers
- Government-Employed Dispatchers
Proceeds from the Games benefit Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. During the Games, Wish Kids will present medals to winning athletes, participate in the Opening Ceremonies, volunteer at events and cheer on competitors.
This year marks the first time the Can-Am Police-Fire Games has been held in Pennsylvania or on the East Coast of the United States, even further expanding the opportunity for many first responders to discover and compete in the event.
The Can-Am Police-Fire Games started as the Northwest Police-Fire Games in 1977, later reorganizing under the Can-Am Police-Fire Games name and opening up the event to a range of emergency services and first responders. The Games are held every other year in host communities across North America. For more information about the 2014 York Can-Am Police- Fire Games, visit www.yorkcanamgames.com. The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. For more information, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.
