FDNY Unveils 2008 EMS Week Poster

 

 

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta joined Van Wagner CEO Richard Schaps and other FDNY officials at Van Wagner headquarters in midtown on May 14 to unveil the new 2008 EMS Week poster celebrating National EMS Week, which starts on Sunday, May 18.

This year's public service announcement features 4-year-old Isiah Hollingsworth of Brooklyn, who was resuscitated by FDNY EMS members after he fell into his family's backyard swimming pool in 2005.

“Nothing makes clearer the importance of EMS than seeing Isiah’s smiling face in these posters, which will be placed on bus shelters and phone booths throughout the five boroughs,” said Commissioner Scoppetta to the crowd gathered at Third Avenue and East 49th Street.

"I can’t imagine a better example of just how much being an EMT or paramedic means," he said.

The FDNY-developed posters - displayed across the City on 350 telephone kiosks donated by Van Wagner - are designed to highlight the life-saving skills of the 3,000 FDNY EMS members and illustrate this year's FDNY EMS Week campaign theme: “Believe in miracles. Believe in us.”

On July 19, 2005, Isiah was unconscious and had no pulse when EMTs James Byrne and Philip Derosa arrived at his home, along with Paramedics Howard Henry and Raymond Bartolomey. The quick-thinking members performed CPR and other life-saving techniques to restore the 19-month-old boy’s pulse. Isiah was transported to a local hospital where he quickly recovered and is now doing fine.

Isiah attended the ceremony along with his parents and reunited with the EMS members who saved his life. He even grabbed the microphone to thank the Department and Van Wagner.

“Thank you for coming,” he said.

Chief of EMS John J. Peruggia congratulated the EMS members once again and reinforced the importance of the annual public service announcements that also are aimed to recruit new EMS members and raise awareness about public safety.

“Isiah is living proof of the great work of our EMS members,” he said.