SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Teams Up with International Public Safety Association

DALLAS – The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, which is in its eighth year honoring first responders at its annual college football bowl game in Dallas, has officially announced a collaboration with the International Public Safety Association (IPSA).

IPSA brings together all public safety disciplines: law enforcement, fire service, EMS, telecommunications, public works (water, sanitation, and transportation), public health, hospitals, security, private sector, and emergency management. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization was established to bring the public safety community closer together by offering opportunities to network, cross-train and build a stronger public safety community capable of an effective joint response to all incidents.

“We are excited to support the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl this year,” said Heather R. Cotter, Executive Director of the International Public Safety Association. “This great bowl brings together all first responders and we will be showing our support leading up to game day and by having a visible presence at the event.”

In December 2014, the bowl began honoring first responders, including police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, correctional officers, search and rescue, dispatchers, security guards, federal agents, border patrol agents and military personnel who have specialized training and are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. In 2018, the game was renamed to reflect the efforts to show appreciation to first responders.

“Our relationship with IPSA is a strategic move to further associate and align our event within the various first responder disciplines,” Brant Ringler, Executive Director of the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, said. “Our first responders protect our communities 24/7/365 and this collaboration will advance the message regarding our event’s dedication to these heroes.”

The date of the 2021 game, which will be played in Dallas at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium, will be announced at a later time.

Schools that have previously competed in the game include: Army West Point, Boise State, Boston College, Houston, Illinois, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Purdue, Southern Miss, Texas Tech, UNLV, Utah, UTSA, Washington, West Virginia, Western Michigan and Western Kentucky.

For additional information about the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, please visit FirstResponderBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on the International Public Safety Association, visit JoinIPSA.org.

ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 35 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes five early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games,  11 college basketball events, a college softball event and a college award show, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

For more information, visit the official website, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages.

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