Fire Department City of New York - Welcome to NYC.gov

Fire DepartmentCity of New York

25th Annual Second Chance Ceremony

Tuesday, May 21, 201910:00 a.m.

Liberty Warehouse260 Conover Street

Brooklyn, NY

HONOR ING E MS S INCE 1994

FDNY

SE

COND CHANCE CEREMONY

S E C O N D C H A N C E C E R E M O N Y 2 0 1 9

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P R O G R A M

Master of Ceremonies: Battalion Chief Mark Guerra

Executive Officer to the

Fire Commissioner

National Anthem: EMT Sarah McShane

INVOCATION: Monsignor Marc Filacchione

FDNY Chaplain

REMARKS: Daniel A. Nigro

Fire Commissioner

John Sudnik

Chief of Department

INTRODUCTION Dr. Glenn H. Asaeda

OF SURVIVORS: Chief Medical Director

Office of Medical Affairs

BENEDICTION: Monsignor Marc Filacchione

FDNY Chaplain


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Joan Brown, 75, of Brooklyn, was in her home on February 26, 2018 when she began to feel shortness of breath while brushing her teeth. Shortly thereafter, she collapsed in her kitchen. Her daughter

called 911 for help.

Lieutenant Steven McEvoy and Firefighters Edward McMellon, Robert Pfundstein, Vincent Costanza, and Christopher Lipkin of Engine Com-pany 332 arrived quickly to administer care. They found Ms. Brown on the floor of kitchen still experiencing shortness of breath. The Firefight-er provided oxygen until the arrival of EMS members.

Within minutes of the 911 call, Lieutenant Glen Taylor and Paramed-ics Dean Russell and Giselle Diggs from Station 39, and Emergency Medical Technicians James Wheaton and Jessica Byers from Station 58 were also in Ms. Brown’s kitchen providing further medical care. As they prepared to bring her to the ambulance for transport to the hospital, Ms. Brown went into cardiac arrest. FDNY members imme-diately began CPR and used a defibrillator to provide one shock, which restored her pulse. They also administered IV fluids to increase her very low blood pressure. Prior to her transport, she had regained full consciousness and was speaking to the members once again.

After additional procedures at the hospital, Ms. Brown has made an ex-traordinary recovery. Thanks to the ten FDNY members who respond-ed that day to save her life, she is enjoying her well-deserved second chance.

JOAN BROWN


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Howard Chan, 60, was in his Queens home on August 10, 2018 sitting on the couch talking and eating with his sister, Grace, who was visiting from Florida. Mid-conversation, he suddenly

stopped speaking and began gasping for air. After making attempts to get her brother to respond, she called 911. She believed her brother was choking and made repeated Heimlich maneuver attempts.

Emergency Medical Technicians Timothy Kime and Daniel Simmo from Station 54 arrived on scene minutes later, along with Lieutenant Igor Mirceski and Firefighters Garrett Langdon, Eric Iturbides, Antho-ny Deko, and Marc A. Sylvers of Engine Company 298. The responding members recognized Mr. Chan was in cardiac arrest and began CPR. They applied an AED and delivered two shocks as Paramedics Timothy Stein and Yeny Cruz of Station 50, and Lieutenant Michael Dennehy arrived. The Paramedics inserted a breathing tube, established an IV with fluids to increase his blood pressure, and continued resuscitative efforts.

Mr. Chan now had a weak pulse and was transported to Jamaica Hos-pital for continued care. Three days after his admission, he began to regain consciousness and was later discharged to home without any neurological deficits.

Thanks to the quick actions of his sister, Grace, and the collective efforts of the highly-trained FDNY members, Mr. Chan survived his medical ordeal and is now enjoying his second chance.

HOWARD CHAN


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Robert Delgado, 59, had just returned inside from doing work on his home in Brooklyn with his wife, Elizabeth, on June 2, 2018, when he started to feel heaviness in his chest. His wife quickly

called 911. While she was on the phone, he collapsed to the floor in cardiac arrest.

Alarm Receipt Dispatcher Luis Maya provided critical, detailed CPR instructions for Mrs. Delgado to ensure immediate medical interven-tion. She followed the instructions perfectly, and performed CPR for several minutes on her unconscious husband before additional help ar-rived.

Lieutenant Anthony Sodano and Firefighters Jeffrey Viola, Charles Eberstein, Kevin E. Rugg, and Matthew E. Morgan of Engine Compa-ny 332 were the first to arrive. They took over CPR and administered one shock with a defibrillator. They were soon joined by Emergency Medical Technicians Sean Narain and Dewey Mendonca from Station 44, and Paramedics Walter Hochbrueckner and John Lopez, and Lieu-tenant Edmund Signer of Station 39.

The EMS members found Mr. Delgado was still in cardiac arrest. They delivered two additional defibrillator shocks, placed an IV, and admin-istered extensive resuscitation medications to restore his pulse. Still un-responsive, Mr. Delgado was transported to Brookdale Hospital where he received care for two weeks before he was discharged. Today, he is enjoying his well-deserved second chance.

ROBERT DELGADO


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Elvis Gahona, 21, of Queens, was asleep in his bedroom on Sep-tember 16, 2018 when his sister passed by in the hallway and heard him gasping for air in his sleep. She told her parents, and

they called 911 for help. He had no prior signs of any complications before this moment.

Emergency Medical Technicians Fahad Kashem and Edward Bonilla from Station 46 and Captain Carmine Calderaro and Firefighters Da-vid W. Eckartz Jr.,William J. Endriss, Denis M. Dermody and John C. Lomnicki of Engine Company 289 arrived minutes later to find Mr. Gahona with difficulty breathing. Shortly thereafter, he fell into cardiac arrest. The FDNY members began CPR and applied a defibrillator.

Paramedics Oneilia Seaton and Nancy Castro, and Lieutenant Scott Waryold, all of Station 46, responded to assist with patient care. They inserted a breathing tube, established an IV to provide resuscitation medications, and administered four shocks with the defibrillator. While preparing for transport to the hospital, his pulse was restored.

Mr. Gahona was transported to Elmhurst General Hospital where he was admitted for one month. He was later discharged to home with no neurological deficits. Thanks to his family’s quick and decisive actions, and the outstanding response by FDNY members, Mr. Gahona’s now has a second chance.

ELVIS GAHONA


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Anthony Garofalo, 47, of Staten Island, had just returned home from jogging on October 12, 2018. Without warning, he col-lapsed in front of his daughter and wife. They immediately

called 911 for help.

Emergency Medical Technicians Stephanie McVicar and Corrine Fair-lie of Station 23, and Lieutenant Daniel Brennan and Firefighters Keith Sterlacci, Christopher C. Kavcic, Michael T. Badalamenti, and Bryan E. Platt of Engine Company 167 arrived to find Mr. Garofalo uncon-scious on his floor in cardiac arrest. They immediately began CPR and provided two shocks with a defibrillator.

Next to arrive were Paramedics Greg Partch Jr. and Carmen Rosas, as well as Lieutenant Jonathan Damato, all of Station 23. The Paramedics inserted a breathing tube, administered a variety of resuscitation med-ications, and administered eleven additional shocks with the defibril-lator.

Together, the responding FDNY members prepared Mr. Garofalo for transport to Staten Island University Hospital North. While in trans-port, and due to the continued medical care, his pulse was restored. Thanks to the quick response and expert treatment provided – includ-ing thirteen total shocks with an automatic external defibrillator – Mr. Garofalo has a well-deserved second chance.

ANTHONY GAROFALO


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Paul Joseph, 41, of Queens, was on the treadmill in his local gym when he collapsed on March 4, 2018. Gym staff called 911 for help.

Minutes later, Paramedics Paul Rufrano and Richard Burlew from Sta-tion 49 arrived. They were soon joined by Emergency Medical Techni-cians John Dubovici and Matthew Chan, and Lieutenant Joseph Pastor, all of Station 49. Lieutenant John K. McLoughlin and Firefighters Jose L. Maldonado, Elvis Valerio, Robert S. Retoske, and Ony Franco of Engine Company 262 arrived to assist with medical care. The respond-ing members found Mr. Joseph on the floor by the treadmill in cardiac arrest.

The responding FDNY members inserted a breathing tube, delivered multiple shocks with a defibrillator, placed an IV, and administered medications. Shortly after this expert medical intervention, Mr. Jo-seph’s pulse and breathing were restored.

Mr. Joseph was prepared for transport to Mount Sinai Queens Hospi-tal where he was admitted for extended care. He was later discharged with no neurological deficits. Thanks to the outstanding training of the responding FDNY EMS members, Mr. Joseph is now enjoying his sec-ond chance.

PAUL JOSEPH


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Ramnarine Ramkissoon, 65, was running on the treadmill at his local gym in the Bronx on April 26, 2018, when he collapsed to the floor. Gym staff immediately called 911 for help.

Lieutenant Thomas Bendick and Firefighters Felipe Irizarry, Messan Greaves, Kenneth Blaskey, and Pedro Bisono of Engine Company 66 were first to arrive. They found Mr. Ramkissoon in cardiac arrest and began CPR while also delivering shocks from a defibrillator.

Next to arrive were Lieutenant Wa-il Eldahry and Paramedic Fritz Jo-seph of Station 20. They inserted a breathing tube, established an IV, administered several resuscitation medications and delivered six addi-tional shocks with a defibrillator. This extensive medical intervention restored Mr. Ramkissoon’s pulse.

With the assistance of Emergency Medical Technicians Sylus McKen-zie and Ronique Blake of Station 15, Mr. Ramkissoon was transported to Jacobi Hospital. While in transport, he began to regain conscious-ness. Mr. Ramkissoon has recently returned to the gym and continues to exercise every day. He is very grateful for his second chance.

RAMNARINE RAMKISSOON


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Firefighter William Staudt, 63, was working in the FDNY’s office for Research and Development at Fort Totten on September 27, 2018 when he suddenly collapsed in front of his colleagues. Fort

Totten is also home to the FDNY EMS Academy.

Firefighter Patrick Shields started performing CPR and notified Emer-gency Medical Technicians Bruce Gutnick and Israel Miranda who were working in an adjoining building. When they arrived, they found Firefighter Staudt was in cardiac arrest. They continued CPR, admin-istered a shock from a defibrillator, and called for additional support from their fellow FDNY EMS Academy members.

Then Deputy Assistant Chief Lillian Bonsignore, Captain Jack Quig-ley, and EMT Blanca Delgado-Sosa responded to assist with care for Firefighter Staudt, along with Chief John Rice, Captain Eric Sacknoff, and Lieutenant Kevin Pfundstein of FDNY’s Research and Develop-ment unit.

Paramedics Rocco Riccardi and Kanwal Naseem and Emergency Med-ical Technicians Michelle Chango and Chad Hannon, all assigned to the EMS Academy, arrived next to find Firefighter Staudt semicon-scious. Paramedic Joseph D’Agosto and Lt. Thomas Durkin from a neighboring building also responded. They continued to provide rescue breathing, established an IV, and administered fluids to increase Fire-fighter Staudt’s low blood pressure.

Firefighter Staudt was then transported to New York Hospital of Queens, and, by the time of arrival to the emergency department, regained con-sciousness Firefighter Staudt has spent 37 years saving and protecting others. Thanks to the expert training and quick, decisive actions of his fellow FDNY members, he has a well-deserved second chance.

FIREFIGHTER WILLIAM STAUDT


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Reverend Jeffrey Thompson was preaching to his congregation at the Amity Baptist Church in Queens on Sunday, October 28, 2018 when he collapsed on the altar. His congregants acted

quickly, initiating bystander CPR and calling 911 for help.

Lieutenant Christopher Garaizar and Firefighters Lee Nolan, Robert Bressingham, Kevin Heaney, and James Hayden of Engine Company 275 were the first to arrive. They took over CPR and delivered two shocks from a defibrillator. Despite their best efforts, Rev. Thompson was still in cardiac arrest.

Additional help came quickly from Paramedics Giovanni Reggler and Shaun King from Station 54, Lieutenant John Marino from Station 50, and Emergency Medical Technicians Kimberly Suarez and Maxony Lexine from Jamaica Hospital. They continued CPR, inserted a breath-ing tube, delivered an additional shock from a defibrillator, and estab-lished an IV to provide resuscitation medications. As they transported Rev. Thompson to the hospital, he began to regain consciousness.

The prayers of Rev. Thompson’s congregants were answered that day by the outstanding work of the Firefighters, Paramedics, and EMTs who saved his life. Thanks to their combined efforts, Rev. Thompson is back in church, preaching again, and making the most of his second chance.

REVEREND JEFFREY THOMPSON


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Raymond Wasson, 50, had just finished a bagpipe performance for a Brooklyn Cyclone pre-game ceremony at MCU Park on August 2, 2018 and was walking up a flight of stairs at the sta-

dium when he collapsed to the ground.

Three bystanders – Registered Nurses Kelly Ryman O’Malley and Stephanie Donnellan, and Paramedic Robert Lederman from Maimon-ides Hospital – raced to his side. They began CPR, administered one shock from a defibrillator, and called 911 for help.

FDNY members quickly responded. Paramedics Marvin Zuniga and Anthony Marascia, Emergency Medical Technicians Carlos Olivera and Joshua Haber, and Lieutenant Scott Rothchild of Station 43 arrived to find Mr. Wasson in cardiac arrest. They continued CPR, and during the next pulse check, he was found to have a good strong pulse. The Paramedics established an IV and continued to provide ventilations to Mr. Wasson during transport to Lutheran Hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital, Mr. Wasson was conscious and alert, with no recollection of the incredible life-saving work that had just taken place. Thanks to the medical professionals both on and off duty who responded in his moment of need, Mr. Wasson is making the most of his second chance.

RAYMOND WASSON


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For 25 years, the Second Chance Ceremony has brought Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Fire-fighters together with the men and women whose lives

they saved. This moving ceremony is not only an occasion for the survivors to meet and talk to their rescuers, it provides FDNY members the opportunity to see the impact their training and ded-ication has made in the lives of others.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of this extraordinary event, the Department is proud to welcome back seven survivors from previous Second Chance Ceremonies. This is a small group that represents the more than 200 lives that have been saved and cel-ebrated at this annual event.

SURVIVOR STORIES:

BRITTANY SMITH of Staten Island was only two-years-old at the time of her cardiac event on February 18, 1998; Brit-

tany swallowed a toy sized billiard ball, began choking, and went into cardiac arrest. Arriving Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics units performed CPR and attempted to place a breathing tube when they noticed the marble like object lodged in Brittany’s airway. The object was removed and she regained a pulse. Brittany, who is now 23 years old, has a two-year-old daughter of her own, Olivia.

SECOND CHANCE SURVIVORS ALUMNI:


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FIREFIGHTER FRANK LIEBECK was on-duty in his fire-house, Engine 268 and Ladder 137 in Rockaway, Queens on

May 22, 1998 when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. His fellow Firefighters began CPR and shocked him with a defibril-lator. He was 53-years-old at the time. Minutes later, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians arrived. They shocked him multiple times, inserted a breathing tube, and administered med-ications. Their outstanding care restored his pulse and made sure he was stable for transport. Now Retired Firefighter Liebeck is 74-years-old and still doing well.

VITO MAZZA was at work on the morning of July 21, 2003, when he collapsed. His co-workers sprang into action, per-

forming CPR and calling 911 for help for their 51-year-old col-league. Within two minutes, FDNY Paramedics were on scene, along with Cabrini Medical Center Emergency Medical Techni-cians. He was shocked with a defibrillator and advanced life sup-port procedures were performed. The responding units restored his blood pressure, and continued to assist his breathing. Mr. Mazza was transported to the hospital and later discharged. To-day, thanks to the efforts of bystanders and medical professionals, Mr. Mazza gets to enjoy being a part of his grandchildren’s lives.

ALBERT HERTER was stepping off the racquetball court on the roof at 92nd Street Y on July 10, 2005, when he had his

cardiac event at age 62. He was mid-sentence when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. One of his three partners, a dental sur-geon, called the front desk and requested they call 911. The para-medics arrived quickly, started CPR, inserted a breathing tube, and shocked him with a defibrillator three times. He regained a pulse and was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital. Since surviv-ing this ordeal, Mr. Herter remarried his wife, Juliet.


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SEAN MOOGAN, a retired Emergency Medical Technician and CPR Instructor collapsed in the laundry room of his

building in Queens on June 10, 2012. The 56-year-old EMS veteran who had spent a career saving lives was now in desper-ate need of help. That help arrived quickly in the form of two neighbors performing bystander CPR, Firefighters from Engine 266, and Paramedics, EMTs and a Lieutenant from Station 47 in Rockaway. The great work of all involved not only provide Mr. Moogan a second chance at life, it made it possible for him to marry his wife Ginny in February of that year.

RETIRED FDNY FIREFIGHTER KENNY RUANE, was found by his wife on the floor of his home barely breathing

on November 24, 2015. She called 911 for help for the 67-year-old former Firefighter. The Ruane home was soon filled with Firefighters, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians all working side-by-side to save his life. They provided CPR, shocked him with an external defibrillator, and detected a critical blockage in his heart before transporting him to the hospital. For 43 years, Kenny Ruane responded to fires and medical emergen-cies in New York City, providing outstanding medical care and risking his life to save others. It was his former FDNY colleagues who responded to his call for help and gave him a well-deserved second chance.

ASHLEY NEWMAN was rehearsing for an upcoming dance performance in Manhattan on May 5, 2016 when she fell to

the ground. She had no pulse. Her colleagues sprang into action, calling 911 to bring help for the 32-year-old dancer. An FDNY Dispatcher relayed critical CPR instructions by phone as Para-medics, EMTs and a Lieutenant from Station 4, as well as Fire-fighters from Engine Company 15 raced to the scene. The FDNY


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members took over CPR, shocked her with a defibrillator, and together, they restored her pulse and brought her back to life. Despite the terrible ordeal she suffered the show did go on, and thanks to her colleagues and the FDNY members who responded, Ms. Newman was there to see it. Her remarkable story or survival was featured in the FDNY Pro Film, Encore.


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NOTES


The Fire Departmentwould like to thank the Pintchik Family

for their generous support in making this

annual event possible.

The Pintchik Family’s devotion to FDNY EMS dates back to 1982 when

New York City Paramedics Ken Honig and Carl Tramontana

performed advanced life support techniques and revived then-58-year-old Jack Pintchik

after suffering cardiac arrest. Since then, the Pintchik family has been proud to honorEMS members annually for their hard work,dedication and ability to profoundly touch

the lives of so many fellow New Yorkers and visitors.

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0

National Emergency Medical Services

(EMS) Week is designed to bring

public attention to the life-saving work

that more than 750,000 men and women

provide to millions of Americans each

year. The Department honors

all FDNY EMS members and

salutes them for their

commitment and dedication.

EMS Week also features special events

and forums that seek to

educate the public.

FDNY EMS WEEK May 19-25, 2019

Honorable Bill de Blasio Mayor

Daniel A. Nigro Fire Commissioner

Documents

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