Monthly News & Updates

Blaine Lopes began competing in Jiu Jitsu over six years ago with Merced MMA. He took on Jui Jitsu just as seriously as he does his job. He is a husband, a father, a CAL FIRE Battalion Chief in the city of Atwater, a CAL FIRE Local 2881 Rank and File Representative, and is currently a Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. 

He started his career as a FF1 In MMU at Hornitos CAL FIRE Station in 2008. In 2011, he was promoted to FF2 at CAL FIRE/Merced County Fire Department Station 62. After working on the Haz-Mat and ARFF teams in 2014, he was promoted to FAE in MEU at CAL FIRE Covelo Station. In 2016, he returned to MMU as an FC in CAL FIRE/Atwater City on the truck. After six years as an FC, he accepted a promotion to Fire Marshal in the City of Atwater in July 2022. 

When Blaine began Jiu Jitsu, he already had a strong background in wrestling. He wrestled throughout high school and was very accomplished. After working his way through his career, he found that this sport was similar to wrestling and held just as high of a need for physical fitness. This drove him to strive for excellence. 

As he grew and learned through the sport, he discovered that our local firefighters and police officers throughout California and the United States compete. Blaine won several competitions as a white, blue, and now purple belt. Some of his most significant accomplishments were winning worlds in No Gi as a Blue belt, the American Nationals as a blue belt, and the National Police and Fire Games as a Blue belt and then later as a Purple belt. 

At the National Police and Fire Games, Blaine was the only CAL FIRE member who signed up to compete in Jiu Jitsu. He won Gi and No Gi. 

Blaine has helped to bring several of our CAL FIRE Local members in MMU into the sport, and some have begun to compete just as he has. The focus and the drive that comes with Jiu Jitsu are unlike most things you can find at work. Those involved have learned that the physical fitness that happens is just as much or more than the hour of physical fitness we can accomplish each day at work. Your stress levels drop, your ability to have patience grows, and your confidence expands. This sport strengthens your physical and mental health. 

Our members across CA need more support than ever. Blaine has found a way by competing in Jiu Jitsu. It’s time for our members to see how strong they can be. Join and compete for your department and yourself. Care about your mental and physical health. Be the example of what everyone can be.