Columbus Fire Department

Media Release

8/14/17

Columbus Firefighter Medal Winner at World Police and Fire Games-

Columbus Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark Ziegler brought home gold and silver medals after competing in the 2017 World Police and Fire Games. Battalion Chief Ziegler, a twenty year department veteran, traveled to Los Angeles, California to complete in the track and field competition. Ziegler won gold in the 100 meter hurdle event, setting a world record in the  men’s 50-54 age bracket.  Ziegler also competed in the 400 meter hurdles where we won silver. This was Ziegler’s fourth time to the games and in each appearance, he came away with a metal.

Ziegler said that this year he had the opportunity to reconnected with acquaintances he had met at previous games. “We’re from all over the world , but when we see each other at the games, we’re just firefighters and police officers,” said Ziegler.  “It’s like a family reunion with some minor language barriers, ” Ziegler added.  Ziegler also had the opportunity to see other Hoosier public safety athletes while at the games , including the “Team Indiana” basketball team and an individual track and field participant.

During the 2015 World Police and Fire Games, held in Fairfax County Virginia, three Columbus firefighter competed. Paramedic Firefighters Dan Smith and Jarrod Mullis competed in the Ultimate Firefighter competition. This competition tested firefighters strength and agility through 4 stages of timed events. Of the 110 individual entries , Smith finished 37th, while Mullis finished 40th .  Ziegler earned two track and field gold medals in the 2015 games.

The biennial games, currently taking place August 6-16 , 2017, attract an average of  10,000 participants from over 60 countries. The first games were held in 1985 in San Jose, California.  Subsequent games have been held in Spain, Canada, Sweden, Australia, British Columbia, Ireland and the United States. The 2019 games will be held in China. Ziegler said that at this time he is unsure if he will be able to attend the 2019 games.

Mark Ziegler’s World Police and Fire Games Stats:

2001- Indianapolis Indiana Games – 400 meter hurdles- Bronze

2011-New York City Games – 400 meter hurdles- Bronze

2015- Fairfax Va. Games- 100 meter hurdles- Gold  / 400 meter hurdles- Gold

2017- Los Angeles Games- 100 meter hurdles- Gold / 400 meter hurdles- Silver