TRACY ALLEN-LEE MEDAL

EMT Tracy Allen-Lee was a vibrant young woman, whose life was tragically cut short in 1997 at the age of just 34. EMT Allen-Lee had been working with the Emergency Medical Service for approximately 18 months in 1989 when she was injured on the scene of an assignment. During the call, EMT Allen-Lee cut her hand while treating a patient in a single-room occupancy residence. Her interaction with this patient led to her unfortunate contraction of the HIV virus and ultimately her death in 1997 of AIDS. Throughout her professional life, EMTAllen-Lee met each challenge with commitment and perseverance and the same is true of her battle with this deadly disease. Though EMT Allen-Lee lost her battle with AIDS, ironically, another battle was won for her posthumously by her family and friends in FDNY. Through the efforts of EMS professionals at FDNY and EMT Allen-Lee’s husband, Victor, her injury was recognized by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and she was posthumously awarded the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit. This landmark award recognized EMT Allen-Lee as the first EMS professional in the country to be awarded this benefit after dying from a communicable disease sustained in the line of duty. Today, the Department is proud to honor the memory of EMT Tracy Allen-Lee with the awarding of the Tracy Allen- Lee Medal. There is a cash award of $500, donated by Robert Ungar. —Sponsored by the EMTs and Paramedics Union

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