The FDNY Vulcan Society’s annual 3‑on‑3 basketball tournament returned to Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, drawing a crowd of players and spectators even as rain hammered the court.
Honoring a Legacy
Founded in 2021 by Fire Chaplain Dr. Rev. V. Simpson Turner Jr., the event commemorates Captain Vernon A. Richards, one of the twelve Black firefighters who perished during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Since its inception, the tournament has grown to include an anti‑gun violence youth program coordinated with Mount Carmel Baptist Church, turning the court into a platform for community education and prevention.
Rain‑Soaked Competition
The competition featured four color‑coordinated teams, each led by a designated captain. Team Blue, captained by Sasha Forde, included Akeem EL Bey, Bryceton Perdomo, truck driver Shavon Allen and mental‑health worker Sebastien Dalmacy. Team Green, under Kaseem Porter, fielded Moustapha Mbaye, Jerome Brown, Mikiel Maloney and civilian Alonzo Martinez. Team Maroon’s roster, led by Olawale Lawal, comprised Joey Augustin, Romane Green and Muhammad Karim. Team Aqua Blue, headed by FDNY Chief Special Ops Malcolm Moore, showcased SOC Denzel Wilson, Leef Allieoll, Jamie Zeigler and Ola Alabi.
Beyond the games, organizers emphasized the tournament’s role in humanizing firefighters and softening the relationship between emergency services and the neighborhoods they serve, especially in a city where trust can be fragile.
Looking Ahead
With the success of this year’s event, the Vulcan Society plans to expand the youth outreach component, aiming to reach more schools and community centers across New York, while continuing to honor the fallen heroes whose legacy inspires the game.