Reuniting cardiac arrest patients with their rescuers, the FDNY holds its 29th Second Chance Ceremony
May 21, 2025
The FDNY held its 29th Second Chance Ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, reuniting eight cardiac arrest patients with the first responders and bystanders who helped save their lives.
"Throughout EMS Week, we have lots of events meant to acknowledge and congratulate the hard work of our EMS. This one is, by far, a favorite," FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said at the annual event, which was held at Liberty Warehouse in Brooklyn. "The stories you're about to hear of saving lives are made possible by the hard work and dedication of our EMTs, paramedics and firefighters. They are a result of training, skills and emergency medical expertise. Some of these stories may seem a little unbelievable, but the actions of our members to make them possible is not a surprise. Today is evidence that the work you do truly saves lives."
Chief of Department John Esposito said: "Most first responders never get the chance to meet the people they have saved, and seeing these individuals alive today because of the quick actions of bystanders and the expert care of FDNY members reminds us why we do this work. Each one of our guests here today are living proof of what the FDNY is capable of. Every day, our members respond to thousands of calls. Behind every call and life saved is a chain of survival—swift actions by the dispatchers, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and officers each played a critical role in lifesaving moments, and they all depended on their training to perform at these life-threatening emergencies."
Chief of EMS Operations Michael Fields added: "The Second Chance Ceremony is, in my opinion, one of the most moving events of the year. It's a powerful opportunity that brings first responders and patients together, allowing our teams to witness the incredible end product of all their rigorous training and education. It also gives the patients and their loved ones a heartfelt chance to meet the rescuers who gave them a new beginning. In the city that moves at lightning speed, we really get a true moment to pause, say thank you and reflect on these life-changing events."
Several of this year's survivors received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from bystanders before on-duty FDNY EMS members and firefighters arrived. In each rescue, the crews provided each patient with proper and efficient care, which ultimately saved their life.
The FDNY's CPR Training Unit offers free, hands-only CPR training across New York City. To date, the Department has trained more than 200,000 New Yorkers to perform bystander CPR, including more than 80,000 high school students.
The FDNY's annual Second Chance Ceremony is made possible in part thanks to the Pintchik family's support. In 1980, two New York City paramedics performed lifesaving techniques and revived 58-year-old Jack Pintchik, who had suffered cardiac arrest. Since then, Matt Pintchik, Jack's son, has advocated for EMS professionals across New York City.
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