Charlotte Firefighter Wins 6 Gold, Sets 2 World Records at World Games
Published on July 22, 2025
Charlotte Firefighter Holly Forbes Johnson celebrates her six gold medals from the World Police & Fire Games, including two world record performances.
Charlotte firefighter Holly Forbes Johnson is no stranger to hard work, but even she admits the past six months have been some of the most intense of her life. Between shifts at Firehouse 38, serving as part of Charlotte Fire’s dive and swift water rescue team, and raising three teenage sons, she found time to train for a global competition, and the results were nothing short of extraordinary.
At the 2025 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) in Birmingham, Alabama, Forbes Johnson swam her way to six gold medals and two world records, cementing her place among the top athletes in this international showcase of first responders.
“I grew up in the water,” she said. “Swimming was my world long before I joined the fire service. It has always been a part of who I am. When I heard the Games were coming to my hometown of Birmingham, it just felt like a sign. I knew I had to go for it.”
Holly Forbes Johnson stands proudly outside Firehouse 38, wearing her six gold medals earned at the World Police & Fire Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
The World Police & Fire Games, often called an Olympic-style competition for first responders, draws more than 8,000 athletes from over 70 countries. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other public safety professionals compete in over 60 events ranging from swimming and track to archery and CrossFit. Since 1985, the Games have celebrated camaraderie, physical fitness, and the incredible talents of public safety professionals worldwide.
A Late Start, A Fierce Comeback
Johnson, a lifelong swimmer, trained for months to return to competitive swimming, ultimately earning top honors at the World Police & Fire Games.
Forbes Johnson, 48, had not competed in international swimming events for more than 20 years before deciding to dive back in. The decision came after what she calls “a nudge from God.”
“I just felt like I had been given this gift,” she said. “For years, I had put it on the back burner because of life — kids, career, everything. Then, about six or seven months ago, I felt that push. I called one of my old coaches and said, ‘Do you think I can do this?’”
She began training two to three times a week, often squeezing in early-morning sessions before her firehouse shifts. By the time the Games arrived, she was ready to test herself against some of the world’s best athletes.
“I looked at past results to see where I might stack up,” she said. “I thought I could be competitive in my age group and hopefully land in the top five or 10. That gave me confidence to go for it.”
Forbes Johnson competed in four individual freestyle events — 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m — winning gold in each. In addition, she anchored two relay teams that shattered world records: the 200m freestyle relay and the 200m medley relay for the 200+ combined age group. Their freestyle relay time of 2:07.73 obliterated the previous world record by more than 20 seconds.
“I didn’t even realize we’d broken a record,” she said with a laugh. “When I touched the wall, I thought we just beat our seed time. One of my teammates came over and said, ‘No, we beat the world record by 20 seconds.’ I was in shock.”
Balancing Firefighting and Competition
Holly Forbes Johnson displays her six gold medals at Firehouse 38, a reminder of her incredible performance on the world stage.
A firefighter since 2016, Forbes Johnson joined Charlotte Fire after graduating from recruit class 99 at the age of 40, making her the oldest female to complete the training at that time. Her experience as a swimmer and lifeguard played a pivotal role in earning a spot on Charlotte Fire’s elite dive and swift water rescue team, where she is a critical asset during complex water-related emergencies.
“I’ve been able to blend my two passions, firefighting and water,” she said. “Whether it’s diving, water conditioning, or teaching our rescue swimming classes, I’m still in my element.”
Her firehouse crew and the Charlotte Fire leadership were among her biggest supporters as she trained for Birmingham. Fire Chief Reginald Johnson said Forbes Johnson’s accomplishment is a testament to her discipline and drive.
“Holly represents the very best of what it means to be a firefighter — strength, determination, and a commitment to excellence,” Chief Johnson said. “We are incredibly proud of her success at the World Police & Fire Games.”
Her Biggest Fans: Three Teenage Sons
Johnson takes the top podium spot for Team USA at the World Police & Fire Games, winning against competitors from more than 70 countries.
While her colleagues cheered from Charlotte, her most loyal fans were her teenage sons. None of them could attend the Games in person due to school and sports commitments, but they made sure to follow every race.
“The first thing I did after finishing my 400m freestyle was grab my phone and text them: ‘Gold!’” she said. “They were so excited. My middle son texted me back, ‘Mom, dang it, leave some for somebody else!’ They’re my biggest cheerleaders.”
She says balancing motherhood and firefighting has been the greatest challenge of her life and the greatest source of pride. Her sons have seen her juggle long shifts, demanding training schedules, and community service, all while encouraging them to lead with servant hearts.
“I always tell them that helping others is the best way to live,” she said. “We’ve spent years volunteering together, from Special Olympics to working with exceptional children’s classes. Seeing them cheer me on from home meant everything.”
Nerves, Determination, and the Joy of Winning
Holly Forbes Johnson’s medals rest alongside her Charlotte Fire turnout gear, representing both her firefighting career and her athletic success.
Despite her impressive results, Forbes Johnson admits she was nervous leading up to her first event.
“I didn’t tell many people I was even going,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how I’d perform after 20 years away from international competition. But when I hit the water for the first race, something clicked.”
That “something” propelled her to a stunning finish in the 400m freestyle, where she not only won her age group but also ranked fifth overall, competing against swimmers half her age.
“I popped up out of my turn and looked around like, ‘Where is everybody?’” she recalled. “It gave me the confidence to keep going, and from there it was all about racing my heart out.”
Looking Ahead to Australia
With all six gold medals on display, Holly Forbes Johnson proudly represents Charlotte Fire and Team USA.
With six gold medals and two world records in hand, you might expect Forbes Johnson to rest, but she is already looking ahead. The next World Police & Fire Games will take place in 2027 in Perth, Australia, and she is determined to be there.
“I’ve always dreamed of visiting Australia,” she said. “When I found out the next Games were there, I told myself, ‘I’m going.’ I’ve got two years to train, and I want to see if I can break some individual world records this time.”
Her relay teammates are already on board for another run.
“The women I swam with are incredible athletes and even better people,” she said. “We’re already planning to reunite for the next Games and go for more records.”
A Role Model for Women in Firefighting
Johnson holds the American flag after capturing gold in her swimming events at the World Police & Fire Games.
Forbes Johnson’s success is inspiring not only for her athletic achievements but also for the example she sets for women in the fire service.
“When I joined Charlotte Fire, I was 40 years old and didn’t look like the typical recruit,” she said. “But I believe you can do anything if you put in the work. Whether it’s firefighting or swimming at a world-class level, it’s about determination and heart.”
Her message to young women is simple: challenge yourself.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t,” she said. “You can do anything you put your mind to if you’re willing to work hard.”
More Than Medals
Charlotte Firefighter Holly Forbes Johnson wears her six gold medals, marking a career-defining moment both in and out of the water.
Though the gold medals and records are a remarkable achievement, Forbes Johnson says the true highlight of the Games was connecting with fellow first responders from around the world.
“It’s not just about the competition,” she said. “It’s about the community — meeting people who share your passion for serving others and pushing themselves to be their best. It was humbling and inspiring.”
Forbes Johnson returns to her post at Firehouse 38 with more than hardware. She will carry with her the pride of representing Charlotte and the United States on an international stage, along with the gratitude of a mother whose greatest fans are waiting for her at home.
“Every time I looked at my phone and saw a text from my boys cheering me on, it reminded me why I do this,” she said. “If I can show them that with faith, hard work, and heart you can achieve anything, that’s worth more than any medal.”