Closing Ceremonies at the 2011 World Police and Fire Games

Chief of Department Edward Kilduff and WPFG Federation President Mike Graham pass the WPFG flag to the delegation from Belfast.

After nine days of sporting events, and surviving Hurricane Irene, the thousands of participants in the 2011 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) closed at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan on Sept. 4.

"Thank you for coming here and sharing this [9/11] anniversary with us," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. "There’s nobody else we would rather have here with us."

Chief of Department Edward Kilduff added: "We appreciate you came to New York to celebrate the World Police and Fire Games during such a time of significance for us. It’s so special."

The Commissioner and Chief also thanked the 2011 WPFG President Jim Carney and CEO Jim Brosi for their outstanding efforts.

Flags from all 75 countries represented at the Games are carried into the closing ceremony.

More than 15,000 firefighters and police officers from 75 countries participated in the Games, which included everything from boxing to paintball.

During the closing ceremonies, the Games’ flag was passed from New York City to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the WPFG will be held in 2013.

As a tribute, Northern Ireland’s Fire Chief Officer Peter Craig introduced the "Waves of Remembrance: 9/11," a lament created to honor the FDNY, NYPD and PAPD members killed at the World Trade Center.

"You managed to deliver a phenomenal Games," said Chief Officer Craig. "Thank you, New York."