Queensland Fire to play FDNY in 9-11 Tribute

• The Queensland Fire Department basketball team will travel to New York and play the FDNY to commemorate the 25th year anniversary of September 11
• 343 firefighters died on September 11, 2001
• The match will be played at the Barclays Center

Very few days hit harder for first responders around the world than September 11.

It's a day where police, firefighters, paramedics and all emergency services personnel come together to commemorate the sacrifice so many first responders gave on that tragic day in 2001.

But next year, a group of Australian firefighters will have the chance to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9-11 in a special way when the Queensland Fire Department basketball team travels to New York to play against the FDNY team at Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty.

Each year, the FDNY play against the NYPD team at the arena, but that event next year will also feature firefighters from Queensland.

Dan Ogilvie from the Queensland Fire Department, who helped organise this said it was an opportunity they would never forget.

"The opportunity to meet up with and share the international firefighter bond will be like nothing else," he told basketball.com.au.

"A total 343 firefighters passed away that day and hundreds more in the years to follow and there is story after story of complete and utter sacrifice made by those firefighters that day.

"One story that comes to mind is of Stephen Siller. He was on the way to play golf that morning, however as the attacks happened he dressed in his turnout gear and ran to the site. He was off duty but still wanted to help.

"Sadly he passed away that day after running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Centre."

The Queensland Fire team played the Queensland Defence Force in an exhibition contest before an NBL1 North game earlier this year and will play the local police service in a game on September 13 from 9am at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane's northside in a 9-11 memorial game.

"To travel to America and play will be surreal," Ogilvie said.

"To share a sense of camaraderie between firefighters is a fellowship that would be truly special."

The Queensland Fire team was looking for sponsors to help them make the trip to New York in 2026. If you are interested, contact Dan Ogilvie on Daniel.ogilvie@qfes.qld.gov.au.