Metro law enforcement faced off against first responders for an epic night on the ice.Sunday was the annual ‘Guns and Hoses’ hockey match. The ‘Blue Team’ pulled out the win. This game brought together heroes from the front lines to the ice — all for a good cause. And, there was even a special surprise from one first responder to another.Trading in badges and uniforms for skates and a jersey, local police and firefighters took the ice at Baxter Arena Sunday as thousands packed in to see if red or blue would prevail. “All first responders look forward to getting together and having a little friendly competition against the fire department,” Sgt. James Shade said. Eight agencies made up team blue with a combined 188 years of service.Team red featured firefighters from six agencies with a combined 269 years of service.Both sides say it was a nice change of pace when compared to their typical run-ins with each other. “For both police and fire, anytime someone calls 911, it’s usually a bad day for the people that we’re interacting with. It’s important for us to be able to get together with them and a positive atmosphere and enjoy each other as human beings,” Shade said.And those ‘bad days’ have big impacts on them, too. That’s why this game benefits the First Responder’s Foundation. “It’s hard to get a first responder to ask for help. And once we get them in there, we need to be able to have that full conversation with them,” First Responders Foundation President Todd Sears said.The foundation offers help for behavioral and mental health issues for first responders, veterans, and their families, physical health and a service dog program. “They can’t go to just anyone. So our therapists are culturally competent. That means that they have to be first responders, or married to one. They need to understand the unique stressors that the first responders go through,” Sears said.On top of raising money and blowing off steam, love was also in the air.Ryan Cyboron, a firefighter with the Grand Island Fire Department, proposed to Karlye Fultz a recruit about to graduate with Council Bluffs Police Department.No matter what team you were rooting for, it seems everyone won Sunday. “Just awesome to get together with brothers and sisters in blue and red and just enjoy the camaraderie,” Shade said,You can still donate to the foundation here if you weren’t able to make it to the game. SAVE THE DATE: The next Guns & Hoses Hockey Challenge is Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Baxter Arena.
Metro law enforcement faced off against first responders for an epic night on the ice.
Sunday was the annual ‘Guns and Hoses’ hockey match.
Advertisement
The ‘Blue Team’ pulled out the win.
This game brought together heroes from the front lines to the ice — all for a good cause. And, there was even a special surprise from one first responder to another.
Trading in badges and uniforms for skates and a jersey, local police and firefighters took the ice at Baxter Arena Sunday as thousands packed in to see if red or blue would prevail.
“All first responders look forward to getting together and having a little friendly competition against the fire department,” Sgt. James Shade said.
Eight agencies made up team blue with a combined 188 years of service.
Team red featured firefighters from six agencies with a combined 269 years of service.
Both sides say it was a nice change of pace when compared to their typical run-ins with each other.
“For both police and fire, anytime someone calls 911, it’s usually a bad day for the people that we’re interacting with. It’s important for us to be able to get together with them and a positive atmosphere and enjoy each other as human beings,” Shade said.
And those ‘bad days’ have big impacts on them, too.
That’s why this game benefits the First Responder’s Foundation.
“It’s hard to get a first responder to ask for help. And once we get them in there, we need to be able to have that full conversation with them,” First Responders Foundation President Todd Sears said.
The foundation offers help for behavioral and mental health issues for first responders, veterans, and their families, physical health and a service dog program.
“They can’t go to just anyone. So our therapists are culturally competent. That means that they have to be first responders, or married to one. They need to understand the unique stressors that the first responders go through,” Sears said.
On top of raising money and blowing off steam, love was also in the air.
Ryan Cyboron, a firefighter with the Grand Island Fire Department, proposed to Karlye Fultz a recruit about to graduate with Council Bluffs Police Department.
No matter what team you were rooting for, it seems everyone won Sunday.
“Just awesome to get together with brothers and sisters in blue and red and just enjoy the camaraderie,” Shade said,
You can still donate to the foundation here if you weren’t able to make it to the game.
SAVE THE DATE: The next Guns & Hoses Hockey Challenge is Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Baxter Arena.