FDNY Hosts Joint EMS Promotion and Graduation Ceremony
It was a day to celebrate heroes.
Three EMS members were promoted to the rank of captain and 50 paramedics graduated from the EMS Academy during a ceremony at PolyTech University in Brooklyn on July 2.
“You are about to embark on what might be the most exciting and challenging period of your professional lives,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano added: “The service you provide allows the Department to say it is second to none when it comes to keeping citizens and our firefighters safe.”
The three captains represent a combined 50 years of service to the city.
“In New York City our EMS Command saves lives and we help people – that’s what we do 100 percent of the time,” said Chief of EMS John Peruggia.
Among the graduates were five who made pre-hospital cardiac saves prior to their graduation – Paramedics Man Wai Law, Josette Esquivas, Joshua Frumer, Katlyn Kang and Brendan Konrad – and one – Paramedic Andrew Clute – who delivered a baby while on duty.
Paramedic Law said his outstanding training was the reason he was able to save the life of a victim who went into cardiac arrest while suffering an asthma attack.
“Without hesitation I knew exactly what to do,” he said.
Paramedic Kang said she, too, was prepared to respond when one of her victims, suffering from multiple chronic ailments, went into cardiac arrest.
She said she was thrilled to learn her patient had survived, saying that with every patient she treats, “I just hope this person comes back with a pulse and is able to walk out of the hospital.”
Also graduating were two veterans of the U.S. Military, Paramedics Jasmin Scott (Army) and Latoya Darden (Air Force).
As the pair celebrated their graduation, they said they found the training challenging, but Paramedic Scott noted that it was all worth it.
“When you get a patient to the hospital, and you know [his or her] condition is improving, it’s the most amazing feeling,” she said.
The new paramedics speak more than 11 languages, including Cantonese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
Four members have relatives who have served with the FDNY, including Paramedic Michael Toomey whose father, Firefighter John Toomey of Ladder 123, was killed in the line of duty.
The class valedictorian was Paramedic Josh Garber and class speaker was Paramedic William Rich, who asked his classmates to join him in giving their family, friends and instructors, “the loudest, proudest, most thunderous cheer” for all of their support.
The promoted members and graduates included:
Promoted to captain:
Lt. Christine Mazzola
Lt Eric McNeice
Lt Norberto Monell
Graduating from paramedic basic training:
| Kyra Arnold Freddy Aviles Schyler Boyd Richard Bracken Michael Bradshaw Betsy Camacho Zaith Camejo Andrew Clute Brenda Contreras Helen Courtney Marissa Crocco Latoya Darden Soledad Druse Josette Esquivias Steven Fliller Joshua Frumer Joshua Garber Edward Gerber Annemarie Girgenti Erica Golino Matthew Guttilla Robert Hart Kevin Jennings Leonard Joyner Katlyn Kang |
Krista Kolanovic Brendan Konrad Jason Kum Man Wai Law John Louis Sara Lupin Matthew Olton Natalia Polunin Usman Rahyab William Razenson William Rich Brandon Rodriguez Brendan Ryan Robert Saltas Malcolm Scott Jasmin Scott Jeremy Sherman Joseph Spinelli Louis St. Surin Mario Thompkins Michael Toomey Michael Ullman Robert Vender Brehene Vice Asher Winik |