Reuniting cardiac arrest patients with their rescuers, the FDNY holds its 30th Second Chance Ceremony

May 20, 2026

The FDNY held its 30th Second Chance Ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, 2025, at Nicotra's Ballroom on Staten Island, reuniting cardiac arrest patients with the first responders who helped save their lives.

“That moment when we put our hands on someone’s chest it’s not just medicine that’s happening. It’s hope. It’s giving that person every single thing that we have down to our core. That’s the moment we know, it’s worth it,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.

The survivors included an FDNY lieutenant at the Fire Academy, a young basketball player who experienced cardiac arrest during a game, and a runner who collapsed while training.

Chief of Department John Esposito said: “To our rescuers, remember today and remember these people. They were given a second chance because of your actions. Because of what you did.”

The Department also honored the lifesaving rescue that inspired this decades-long tradition: Paramedics Kenn Honig and Carl Tramontana, and the son of the patient they saved, Matt Pintchik. Since that day, the Pintchik family has advocated for EMS Professionals.

“Thank you from our family, for all of the families celebrating their second chances today,” said Matt Pintchik.

Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said: “Second Chance represents teamwork. It represents persistence. It represents skill, compassion, professionalism under pressure and—most importantly—it represents hope."

WATCH: 30th Annual Second Chance Ceremony.