The sweat is starting to build under a lot of local uniforms.
The World Police and Fire Games begin this week. The event is held every two years at different locations around the globe, and this year it is in New York City. RCMP Const. Danielle Moxey will be attending for the third time as a soccer competitor, having been to the events in Australia ('07) and Vancouver ('09).
"I'll be going to the opening ceremonies in serge," she said. "Representing the RCMP is something I'm proud of and getting to do that in serge is especially valuable because we are a team from a mix of different departments."
She plays for the Calgary Courage, comprised of players from Calgary municipal police, RCMP and Seattle police. There are 17 teams in the women's division, with contenders expected to be from the Los Angeles Police Department, New York Police Department and the perennial favourite English Prison team.
"I think we will do well. They are training together every week in Calgary. I am playing in the women's league here and training as well. Also, I'm doing a lot of fundraising," said Moxey. "It keeps me in shape. I'm meeting new people - every two years it is a different team."
At Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, the competitors there have found it helpful for morale. Due to the security sensitivities of their job, only their first initial and last name can be used, but D. Saunderson said preparing for the journey and athletics have brought co-workers closer together.
"We've got seven people going," said D. Saunderson. "Myself, C. Hickman, A. Godin, and T. Ouelette are competing in arm wrestling; R. Campbell and A. Teschuk in bowling; R. Anderson in volleyball."
Only two have been to previous games. The fact that New York is the host was a big attraction.
"The memorial for 9-11 is this year so just to be down there when that's going on - see where it took place," Saunderson said. "We have baseball games planned, shows, and all of us arm wrestlers are very determined to come home with the gold. We are all in different weight groups and age classes so we don't have to face each other."
RCMP Insp. Keith Redl has his eyes on a prize as well. In his category he feels a bronze medal is attainable, based on past competitions. He vies in the gruelling Toughest Competitor Alive category, with eight events in one day all designed to test strength and endurance. His son, a Mountie stationed in Fort St. James, is also signed up but in a different age category. It was his son's preparations for RCMP depot that got Redl into athletic training, and soon he was having his arm twisted into half-marathons and a leg of the 2002 Alberta Death Race, and he was hooked.
"If you want to be competitive it is a big commitment. I was doing full workouts three times a day in Ottawa," he said. "I do it to meet different police officers and emergency responders from across Canada and around the world. The camaraderie and the learning broadens your knowledge."
New York is expecting 15,000 athletes in 65 sports. More than those mentioned are representing Prince George and area. There are hopes, said Saunderson, that those from Prince George will make themselves known so everyone - police, firefighters, sheriffs, corrections officers, Conservation Officer, etc. - can meet up for a group photo at the games and show Prince George that this city's emergency responders are proud to compete for their city.
The games start on Friday and run until Sept. 5 on this, the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
