When Stephanie Degner laces up her boots in the quiet of her garage gym, she does so alone. A firefighter with Parris Island, South Carolina Fire and Emergency Services, Degner trains solo most days, powering through high-intensity workouts and firefighter-specific drills to prepare for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham, Alabama.

But she is not really alone.

Hundreds of miles away, her coach, Jared Johnson, and friend, Sue Capper, are doing the same. “Even though we may not live close enough to train together,” says Degner, “we share everything—from tips and advice to encouragement and venting when we need it.”

After months of solo prep and virtual check-ins, Degner is finally looking forward to seeing her training partners face-to-face again in Birmingham. “I am excited to meet up with them,” she said. “Almost more than I am competing in my section!”

Preparing for the Games

Police and firefighter athletes from around the world are honing their skills and perfecting their bodies to get ready for the world stage. And while many attendees are training solo, many are using this as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of their team. The Tallahassee Fire Department’s Challenge Team members Gene Liford, Brandon Corley, Lance Butler, and Kyle Mann partner up to push themselves through their toughest workouts.

“We work through endless reps of stair climbs, gear workouts, CrossFit-style and HIIT workouts, and miles of dummy drags!” said Liford. “We have put in many long days of tough training getting ready for this.”

Michael Coleman, of the Tennessee-based team Bluff City Combat, has been going through a similar schedule to prepare for the Firefighter Challenge League and his individual half-marathon run.

“I have been training with my team,” Coleman said. “As of now we have an active roster of 10+ firefighters that are looking to represent our team and department to the best of our abilities.”

Whether they are training in gyms or on the tower, these athletes are all chasing the same thing: peak performance.

Fire Eagle® Xtreme: Competitors’ Boots of Choice

For many competitors at the World Police and Fire Games, fire boots are not just part of the job—they are part of the strategy. And for these firefighter athletes, HAIX Fire Eagle® Xtreme boots are giving them a serious edge.

“I have worn these all season for every event,” Degner said of her Fire Eagle Xtreme boots. “They are the most comfortable and efficient boot that helps me perform my absolute best.”

For Coleman and his Bluff City Combat teammates, it is all about reliability. “The Fire Eagle Xtreme is the most comfortable and well-balanced boot I've ever worn,” he said. “My team and I practice almost every day, and these boots take a beating on our tower. They have never failed any of us.”

Liford and Corley recently switched to the Fire Eagle Xtreme after competing in a different HAIX boot. “You almost forget you are wearing boots,” Corley said. “It is like running in a sneaker or workout shoe.”

A Global Community Gathers in Birmingham

As fierce as the competition may be, it is built on a strong foundation of respect. The WPFG bring police and firefighters from around the globe together, not just to compete—but to connect.

“I have never been to a WPFG event before; I can’t wait to meet fellow firefighters from all over the world.” said Michael Coleman. “While we don’t speak the same languages, we are basically all the same at our core.”

It’s the kind of camaraderie forged not just through shared work—but shared values: selflessness, bravery, and service. That’s what makes WPFG 2025 more than a competition. It’s a gathering of the global police and firefighting family—one that trains hard, shows up strong, and lays it all on the line.

Whether it happens on the job, in the gym, or at a global competition is just a matter of what day it happens to be.

Headed to the WPFG in Birmingham? Visit the HAIX booth in the BJCC Expo Center.