World Police, Fire Games had healthy economic impact

The athletes have gone home and local public-safety personnel have returned to their regular work, but area leaders continue to bask in the warm feelings and cold, hard cash generated by the 2015 World Police & Fire Games.

The Games, which ran from June 26 through July 5, brought in about $83.85 million worth of economic benefit to the Washington region, event organizers told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors July 28.

That figure includes $49.24 million in direct economic benefits, plus about $34.61 million in “induced effects,” said Barry Biggar, president of the Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corp., aka Visit Fairfax.

“Not too bad” for an event lasting 10 days, he added.