Firefighter/EMT Barry Brown of Roanoke, formerly of Buchanan, is a 17-year veteran with the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department.
He is part of the department’s Wildland Firefighter team that works in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Forestry and the US Forest Service. He promotes a healthy lifestyle within the department as a Peer Fitness trainer.
Brown was a recipient of the American Red Cross Hero Award in 2013 for rescuing a boy and his mother from dangerous rip currents while on vacation in North Carolina.
Over the past decade, Brown has participated in a variety of race, including marathons and triathlons. He completed a 70.3-mile Beach to Battleship Half Ironman in 2009.
Most recently, he’s discovered his passion for cycling events. He has competed in numerous cycling events in the past couple of years and has achieved Cat 4 racing status with USA Cycling.
Brown plans to attend the World Police and Fire Games this August in Los Angeles. He will compete in the Men’s Road Race, the Criterium Road Race and the man’s Individual Time Trial.
Brown is asking for sponsorships and/or donations to assist with his travels to and around the World Games. Money raised will go to cover expenses for airfare, lodging, car rental, bike shipping and race registration. He has set a goal of $5,000 to help cover these expenses. As part of his efforts, he would like to raise funds for the Roanoke I Can Shine Bike Camp. Anything raised above his $5,000 goal will go directly to the camp.
You can support Brown by going to his GoFundMe page: Barry Brown 2017 World Fire Games.
The World Police & Fire Games are an Olympic-style competition with 10,000 athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters and offers from corrections, probation, border patrol, immigration and customers from 65 countries across the world competing in 65 sports. The World Games are a 10-day international sporting event providing active and retired public safety servants from around the world the opportunity to showcase their athletic excellent. They are held biennially on odd-numbered years in a different location across the globe.
Brown is the son of Sandra and P.E. Brown of Buchanan.