New York Firefighters visit to NZ October 21

New York Firefighters visit to New Zealand October 21 – November 3

ACE insurance is sponsoring a group of 30 New York firefighters and nine family/friends to New Zealand from October 21 to support Stars and Stripes and participate in the World Firefighters Games at the end of October.

ACE is a “Gold Level” sponsor of Team Dennis Conner (Stars and Stripes) in its bid for the America’s Cup. The company became aware that some New York firefighters wanted to attend the World Firefighters Games in Christchurch, and saw the link between the New York Yacht Club and New York Fire Dept. ACE offered to send 20 firefighters and their guests to NZ to support Stars & Stripes in Auckland, then to attend the Firefighters Games. Ten of the firefighters are bringing other firefighters as their guests – hence the 30 firefighters total.

Itinerary and main activities:

MONDAY 21 OCTOBER (AUCKLAND) 6.50 am: Arrive at Auckland International Airport. 7.30 am (approx): Powhiri by local iwi, then piped through the airport by the Auckland Police Pipe Band. Venue: Auckland International Airport Media Centre.

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER (AUCKLAND) 12.30 pm: Mayor of Auckland John Banks hosts lunch reception for New York firefighters and Auckland regional fire chiefs. 2.30 pm (TBC): Some of the firefighters visit Auckland Central fire station 7.00 pm: ACE hosts function with Team Dennis Conner at Stars & Stripes compound.

WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER (AUCKLAND) 10.00 am: Half the group departs on Dennis Conner's support boat Emerald K to support Stars & Stripes racing. 10.30 am (TBC): NY basketball team play Auckland firefighters

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER (AUCKLAND/CHRISTCHURCH) 10.00 am (Auckland): Half the group departs on Dennis Conner's support boat Emerald K to support Stars & Stripes racing. 11.30 am (Christchurch): Firefighters Stephen Maly (competing in Toughest Firefighter Alive event) and Gary Ford attend World Firefighters Games press conference

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER (CHRISTCHURCH) Party travels to Christchurch (by midday) and registers for World Firefighters Games.

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER (CHRISTCHURCH) 11.00 am: Participate in ceremony to dedicate a memorial park to all firefighters who've lost their lives in the line of duty and unveil a sculpture made from pieces of the World Trade Center. Remarks by FDNY chaplain Everett Wabst. Venue: "Firefighters Reserve", next to Christchurch Central Fire Station, Kilmore Street. 2.45 pm: Participate in the Games parade to the opening ceremony 3.00pm: Opening ceremony in Cathedral Square

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER (CHRISTCHURCH) Participate in the games events including: basketball, cross country, challenge course, firehouse cook-off, darts, pool, golf, half and full marathon, horse shoe, indoor rowing, karate, mountain-biking and cycling, swimming, "rodeo" (firetruck driving skills), 100m sprint, triathlon and the “Toughest Firefighter Alive”.

SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER (CHRISTCHURCH) 7.00pm: Games finale dinner at Hagley Park.

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER Depart Christchurch for New York.

ACE

The ACE Group of companies is one of the world’s leading providers of insurance, reinsurance and financial products and services with assets of US$37 billion. Headquartered in Bermuda since its inception in 1985, ACE was created to satisfy a market need for excess liability insurance. ACE’s 16,580 employees do business in offices in 50 countries around the world.

ACE Limited vice president Donald Kramer is travelling to New Zealand to support the sponsorship and attend the dedication event in Christchurch preceding the Games.

© Scoop Media