First responders from Edmonton and across Alberta participated in the First Responders Rodeo this past weekend in St. Albert. Fans took great delight in seeing firefighters, corrections officers, EMS, and police take on rodeo sports like chute dogging, bareback riding, wild cow milking, saddle bronc, wild horse racing, roping, barrel racing and even bull riding.

The idea for the rodeo came to President of the First Responders Rodeo Association and retired EPS member Brian Griffith with other founding members "over some whiskey and a campfire".

“Calgary Police has run a first responders rodeo for some time now. We were sending teams down south for years and our participation kept growing,” says Griffith. The interest indicated that a rodeo in the Edmonton area would be successful. And that’s how the rodeo was born.

Each rodeo event is open to any first responder and immediate family members to register. This year, there were over 150 participants competing in 240 positions. Events are geared toward first-time rodeo participants, meaning they don’t need to own a horse or qualify like other rodeos.

“It’s a good rodeo because it's a great place for beginners to not feel completely overwhelmed with the skill levels that are usually present at most rodeos,” Dayna Bulas, a detective with EPS Financial Crimes and a member of the rodeo association board. She also competed in several events, both with and against her daughter Jordyn.

Griffith thinks the novelty of having never done rodeo before is part of the entertainment and draw of the crowd.

“Yeah, it’s pretty entertaining to see a big strong first responder quickly humbled by a 1,200 lbs animal,” laughs Griffith. That entertainment value was indicated by the sold-out crowds and record breaking attendance at this year’s event.

The event also raises funds for two organizations very close to first responders’ hearts, Zebra Child Protection Centre and The Legacy Place Society. Last year, the rodeo raised $10,000 for each organization with the help of fans, generous sponsors, and an army of volunteers that feels like one big family. This year the board of directors is hoping to increase that donation.

“That’s the spirit behind it all, community and family,” says Superintendent Trevor Hermanutz from Southeast Division, also a board member for the rodeo association and event chute boss. “We have a lot of families involved. Everyone is working together to give back to the community and that’s very important to us.”