June 2011

FDNY Lieutenant Chris Jensen has been with the Department since July of 1993. He has been assigned to various Fire Companies throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. He is presently assigned to Brooklyn’s Battalion 37, working in engine 310 in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Chris is a multi sport athlete, and has competed in numerous Triathlons, Gaelic Football, Cycling, TCA, and Soccer. He has also medaled in each of the World Police and Fire Games that he has participated in. Chris has been a competitor in numerous Games since 1999, when the Games were hosted by Stockholm, Sweden. Chris continues to train while volunteering numerous hours helping to prepare for the 2011 Games in New York.

May 2011

Joe Nolan has been with the New York City Police Department for over 13 years. During his time on patrol, he has been assigned to Precincts in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Joe is an avid volleyball player and has been a member of the NYPD Volleyball team for most of his career. During that time, he has participated in every New York State Police and Fire Games, medaling numerous times. Joe has competed in both the 2005 WP&FG in Quebec and the 2009 WP&FG in British Columbia. In Quebec, he partnered with members of different Departments from around New York State. In British Columbia, he joined a mixed team of members from the FDNY, NYPD and Nassau County PD. Always up for a challenge, Joe also participated in the Grouse Grind. Joe has volunteered much of his free time to help with the Games and is looking forward to participating and helping to welcome everyone to New York City.

April 2011

The 2007 World Police & Fire Games held in Adelaide Australia was the twelfth running of the Games and a tremendous success. It was also the first time in which three actively retired FDNY members teamed up to participate in the three on three Basketball event. Retired Lieutenant Ed McCaffery, Retired Firefighter Louie Cacchioli and Retired Firefighter James Carney joined together to have a good time and to prove they could still compete. All three are actively involved in helping to produce the 2011 Games in New York. Ed has volunteered his time to help, while Louie retains the title of Director of International Affairs, and Jim Carney can proudly call himself the President of the 2011 World Police & Fire Games. They have proven their dedication and spirit with the countless hours they have donated to the cause of the Games and showed that spirit when they secured a Silver Medal in 2007.

March 2011

This ”Athlete of the Month” is compiled of Firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. They are members of the Angling Association within their service. Over the past 10 years they have competed in their respective National Fly Angling Championships at the highest level, which are held annually in different venues around the UK. Some members of the team have already competed in the 2009 games in British Columbia, where they had the unique experience of salmon fishing on the world famous Fraser River. This year, they are determined to represent their Fire Service in the Big Apple and be a part of what is expected to be the most memorable sporting event the games have ever produced. Gerry O’Brien (Club Chairman), Ronan O’Reilly (Secretary) & Terry Morrison (Treasurer) are all mindful that the games will respectfully coincide with the 10 year remembrance of 9/11 where so many emergency service personnel tragically lost their lives. Their club also had its own tragic loss, when Crew Commander “John January” died tragically 7 years ago in an unfortunate boating accident. John a former member and a keen angler is fondly remembered among the team. The Annual Angling competition is now referred to as the “John January Memorial“. As everyone is already aware, Belfast is hosting the Games in 2013 and the members of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service have already got the wheels in motion to host a unique and memorable angling experience on some of the World’s most famous Lakes.

February 2011

The FDNY Soccer Club is made up of members from the New York City Fire Department from all five Boroughs of New York City. The Club was established in 1977 and has competed in many tournaments and leagues, including the Long Island Soccer Football League since 1994. The team has made numerous appearances in the World Police and Fire Games, the World Firefighter Games, the annual "Mayors Cup" with the New York City Police Department, and various local tournaments. They also host and visit Fire Departments from around the world promoting camaraderie and physical fitness through the sport of Soccer.

The FDNY Soccer Club has shared in great accomplishments and horrible tragedies. Through it all, the team has persevered. Through fund raising, they founded the Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Memorial Scholarship at Hofstra University which currently provides a half Scholarship for a soccer player from both the Men's and Women's program on an annual basis.

At the 2009 Games in British Columbia, the team won the Silver Medal. They expect to return and compete in the 2011 Games in New York and make a run for the Gold!

January 2011

The January "Athlete of the Month" is made up of a group of female Firefighters from Australia. The members of the "Fiery Felines" soccer club work in many different areas throughout NSW, Australia. The team has competed in many tournaments around the world throughout its short history, but had the pleasure of playing in their first World Police & Fire Games in Adelaide, Australia in 2007. The group was unable to field a team for the 2009 Games but have set their sights on attending the games in New York. In an effort to help support their cause, the team has conducted a number of fundraising events and has designated two charities to share in the proceeds; the Burn Unit at The Children's Hospital in Westmead and MND Free, which supports the prevention of hereditary Motor Neuron Disease. They are confident that they will achieve their goal while helping out two worthy causes. The Fiery Felines look forward to attending the Games in New York, competing at a World Class level and paying tribute to First Responders from around the World.

December 2010

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (a.k.a. the Transit Police Service), is Canada's first and only dedicated transit police force. It was established in December 2005 with the mandate to ensure safety and security on and around Metro Vancouver's complex public transportation system. Their current strength is 180 sworn police officers and nearly 70 civilian support staff for a total of 250 employees.

In early 2009, the Transit Police Pistol Team was formed in anticipation of the World Police & Fire Games being hosted locally in Vancouver, British Columbia. Members of the team both competed, and volunteered their time at the range to help administer the various pistol events. The 2009 World Police and Fire Game event was a huge success with over 10,000 competitors from over 56 countries. The privilege of representing the Transit Police at its inaugural event has created a flavor for competition ever since.

As a result, the team recently traveled to Dublin, Ohio, and participated in the 2010 Can-Am Police & Fire Games. Competing in a grueling five pistol events over 10 days, the team earned 13 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze, for a combined total of 16 medals in both individual and team events.

The Transit Police Pistol Team is now looking forward to travelling to the 2011 Games in New York City to compete, meet new people, and to pay their respects to the countless emergency personnel who fell during the 9/11 attacks.

November 2010

Police Officer Theresa McCourt began her career in the New York City Police Department in 2001 as a Police Cadet in the 68pct, Applicant Processing Division & the ESU Canine Unit. She was subsequently sworn in as a Police Officer in July of 2003 and is currently assigned to a command in Patrol Borough Brooklyn South where she has worked a variety of assignments both patrol and specialty related.

Police Officer McCourt began playing handball at an early age and has been the recipient of many awards including the Pegasus Outstanding Athlete Award while she was a student in Franklin D Roosevelt H.S. She currently competes competitively around the world and has won more than 60 handball awards in 1 wall, 3 wall & 4 wall. Police Officer McCourt is rank # 1 in 1 wall with the United States Handball Association and this will be her first time playing in the World Police and Fire Games in New York.

October 2010

The 2009 Games in British Columbia saw Gaelic Football make an appearance as an introductory sport. Members of the New York City Fire Department team were on hand to participate in this event. The FDNY Gaelic football team was originally sponsored by the Emerald Society and founded in 1972. Throughout its 38 years of existence, members of the team have participated in numerous competitions and tournaments throughout the world.

As with many other teams, one of their goals is to further strengthen the bond that exists between first responders throughout the world. Members of the team expressed their excitement when they first heard Gaelic Football was announced as part of the 2009 Games. It is anticipated that the number of teams and individuals that will participate in future games will increase as the sport moves back to the country of its origin.

Members of the FDNY team can also proudly say that they not only participated in the first year of the sport of Gaelic Football at the Games, but also the fact that they earned the inaugural Gold medal along the way. They have already begun to practice and are ready to defend their title at the 2011 Games in New York.

September 2010

The Victoria Police Vikings have existed as a rugby club for over one hundred years. In 1999, the club participated in the inaugural Australian Police Rugby League Championships in Queensland. At the completion of the inaugural Championships, two players, Barry Randall and Phil Edge were selected from the Australian team to tour the USA and Russia.

In October 1999, Barry and Phil became the first Victoria Police members to play for Australia and travelled to the USA. There, they defeated the USA Tomahawks and the Glenn Mills Bulls (USA premiers). While in the states, both had the opportunity to work with the NYPD, the Port Authority Police Department and the Philadelphia Police.

Since 1999, the club has participated in many National Championships and several players have been selected in Australian, and Police representative teams. The group has been involved in matches throughout the world, including the USA, Argentina, Morocco, New Zealand, Cook Islands and Fiji.

The Vikings are actively involved in several community based youth programs and work hard to present a positive role model for young people in the community. Players are linked with the very successful Backyard Rugby Program, which is aimed at encouraging disengaged and underserved youth to participate in sport in an informal setting.

The Vikings also support the Scrum Nation Rugby League Academy in Melbourne, a group that helps to help break down the barriers that often exist between police and young men in the community. Players provide coaching and skills training to young players and deliver talks on issues such as domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, violence against women and offences relating to inappropriate use of the internet.

The Vikings anticipate on fielding an over 35's rugby team in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games and look forward to an unforgettable experience in New York.

August 2010

Police Officer Mark DeSimone has been with the New York City Police Department since 1999.  Throughout his years with the department, he has worked as a patrol officer in the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, spent some time with the Narcotics division, and taught for two years as a specialized training instructor at the Police Academy.  In 2003, Mark began to experience some ill effects from the aftermath of 9/11. Inspired by an article on an NYPD Captain who participated in Triathlons, he began to train in an effort to offset the and participated in his first event that same year.  Since then, he has competed in numerous triathlons all around the country.  In 2009, he organized a First Responders triathlon group consisting of Police Officers, Firefighters, EMS workers and Federal Agents from around the country. He hopes to build upon the success of this organization and participate in the 2011 games in New York.

July 2010

Police Officer Randy Paulson has served the Pleasanton Police Department for more than fifteen years. During his tenure, he has received numerous citations and held several different assignments : 7 year SWAT Veteran, Motorcycle Officer, Commercial Enforcement Specialist, Detectives 2008 & 2009 M.A.D.D. DUI Award recipient, 2008 Officer of the Year Nominee, 2006 Carnegie Hero Award Recipient, and Bronze Star Recipient. Presently, he is assigned as a K-9 Handler for Explosives Detection Dogs & Patrol Service Dogs.

Police officer Paulson has been involved in the sport of Paintball for five years. He has participated in numerous Police and Fire Events throughout the country. In 2009, he medaled in Paintball Team at the Western State Police and Fire games, and he earned the Gold at the World Games in British Columbia in Paintball Team Slow Motion Super Hero. He will soon be participating in the 2010 Western State Games.

In Randys words, I am excited for the chance to defend the gold medal and I look forward to being in New York for the ten year anniversary of 9-11, the day that changed America forever and brought Americans closer together. The people of New York showed great heart and character during such a tragic and horrific event. To be able to compete in the World Games in New York in 2011 will be a great honor and privilege. You couldn't ask for a better venue for such an event.

June 2010

Lieutenant Tom Ciesla is a member of the New York State Courts. He has been a law enforcement officer for twelve years. He has been assigned to many dignitary/judicial protection details throughout New York State, and is currently assigned to Niagara Falls, New York.

Tom has been actively involved in volleyball since high school and continues to play in many area tournaments.  Tom has also competed in the New York State Police & Fire Games and Empire State games earning  4 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze.   He played in the 2005 WPFG in Quebec on a combined men’s volleyball team that represented New York State, finishing fifth overall. Tom looks forward to participating in the 2011 WPFG in New York City.

May 2010

Lieutenant Bob Chuisano was appointed to FDNY in February of 1985. In his 25 years of service, he has worked in various commands throughout the City and presently serves with Rescue 4.   Bob has wrestled throughout high school and college, and while coaching his son’s Freestyle Team, Bob began wrestling again in Open Tournaments. He wrestled at the Masters Level in the 2005 Games in Quebec, and placed 4th in Freestyle at 97 Kg. He wrestled again in the 2009 Games in Vancouver and placed 4th in Freestyle, where he earned the Bronze Medal in Greco Roman.   He has also played on the FDNY Lacrosse team as a Defenseman, and states he will play again if an over 35 team can be fielded in New York City in 2011. 

April 2010

Firefighter Engineer Frank Lively served with the Phoenix Fire Department for 30 yrs. His last few were as a member of the FEMA Technical Rescue Team. During his career he was a successful distance runner until 2 knee surgeries stopped him. He then decided to take up road biking for therapy. Eventually he progressed to biking to work, 101 miles every day. He soon began competing and took a gold, silver and bronze in the Memphis Games. He started mountain and cross country biking and has won numerous medals at the UCI World Masters Downhill Championships, the Norba National Downhill Championships and the Arizona State Mountain Bike Cross Country Championships. More recently, he has medaled in the Firefighter Winter Ski Championships in Crested Butte, Colorado. Frank plans on participating in the New York Games in 2011.

March 2010

Sergeant Theodore Meroski has served with the Malden Police Department in Massachusetts for 27 years. During his time, he has served as a patrolman, worked as a Detective in the drug unit, and is presently assigned to oversee investigations of all major crimes in the General Investigations Bureau. Aside from Police work, Sergeant Meroski started a mentor program that allows officers to donate their time working with at risk youths in an afterschool program. Although he continues to serve the State of Massachusetts as a public servant, his passion is softball. Sergeant Meroski continues to compete in numerous softball leagues and tournaments throughout the area. During his playing career that has spanned over thirty years, he has played competitively as an outfielder, hitter and most recently as a pitcher. Sergeant Meroski was nominated to appear as our “Athlete of the Month” by members of the Malden Police Department softball team. The members of the Malden Police Department wish to extend their respect and gratitude to their teammate and look forward to participating in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games in New York City. 

February 2010

The Italian Fire Service Rugby team was created in 1988 and has participated in every World Police & Fire Games since. An extremely competitive team they have medaled in various years; Barcelona in 2003, Indianapolis in 2001, Adelaide in 2007 and attained Gold at the 2005 Games in Quebec. The team also participates in various Firefighter Games throughout the world and they attained medals in the 2008 Games in Liverpool, the 2002 Games in Christchurch, the 2004 Games in Sheffield and the 2006 Games in Hong Kong. Their roster of some sixty players consists of firefighters from all over Italy, including individuals who have competed with the Italian national team. The members of the Italian Fire Service Rugby team are looking forward to an unforgettable experience both on the field and off at the 2011 games in New York City.

January 2010

Firefighter Ryan Nordman has been a member of the FDNY since July 15, 2001.  His first day out of the Academy was September 11, 2001 and he went on to assist in the recovery efforts at Ground Zero in the months that followed.  He currently works at Ladder 45 in Washington Heights.  Ryan has been the recipient of the Arthur Lufer Medal for his heroic actions involving pulling a pregnant woman from a burning building. Ryan has been a member of the Bravest Boxing Team since 2004.  The highlight of his boxing career was his victory in Vancouver at the 2009 World Police & Fire Games, where he won a gold medal.  He followed up that victory with a win at Madison Square Garden during Battle of the Badges in October.  Previous to joining the FDNY, Ryan served in the United States Navy from 1992-1996.  He was stationed in Japan and served two deployments in the Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch.  He currently resides on Long Island.  Due to age restrictions, he is unable to compete in the 2011 World Police & Fire games in New York City but looks forward to volunteering.