EMS Honors Its Life-Savers

11 Medal-Winners
EMS Honors Its Life-Savers


Paramedic Juan Henriquez received the highest medal of the Emergency Medical Service May 24 for risking his life trying to save two firefighters in a burning building, but he felt no different than usual.

The Chief-Leader/Samantha Richman 'IT'S MY JOB': Lieut. Robert White received the Chief James Scullion Medal at a ceremony during EMS Week for aiding a stabbing victim in a hostage situation. Presenting the award, from left to right, were Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, FDNY Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and Chief of EMS Command John Peruggia. "Every single member does that every day when they step into an ambulance," said Mr. Henriquez, who has been with EMS for five years.

Literally Under Fire

He and Paramedic Abraham Englard won the Christopher Prescott Medal for their performance at a fire in the Bronx last Aug. 27. They stayed in a burning building for close to 90 minutes attempting to save a Firefighter and a Lieutenant, both of whom later died.

Eleven Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians received medals for going above and beyond the call of duty at a ceremony that was part of the 34th annual national EMS Week in the FDNY's auditorium at Metro Tech Center. Families of the winners packed into the room to watch their loved ones be honored by Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and Chief of EMS Command John Peruggia.

"You have paid more than your share," Commissioner Scoppetta told the award-winners. "This year's medal winners truly represent the best of the best."

EMTs Jason Rosado and Michael Skody won the Tracy Allen-Lee Medal for taking on the roles of crime-fighters when they subdued a shotgun-wielding assailant while on duty on March 19, 2006 in Brooklyn.

"It's the first time I met the Commissioner," said Mr. Rosado, who has been with EMS for three years, after the ceremony. "We were thrust into a new spotlight. It's not an everyday thing."

The other EMS medal winners included Lieut. Robert White, who won the Chief James Scullion Medal for attending to a stabbing victim during a hostage situation in upper Manhattan.

Paramedic Brian Frayne and Paramedic Joel Pierce received the Lieut. Kirby McElhearn Medal for rescuing two workers, who were also brothers, at a construction accident in Brooklyn last year.

Others Honored

Lieut. Curven Williams and Paramedic Walter Hochbrueckner received the Jack Pintchik Medal for aiding residents of a burning building.

EMT Myrna Mendez was given the Emergency Medical Dispatch Commendation for her service in the Bureau of Communications during several events, including the 2003 blackout and 9/11.

Paramedic William Simon received the Dr. John E. Sheridan Commendation for his dedicated service since 1973 and his eagerness to train new EMS members.

EMS Week concluded on May 26, and events featuring New York's first responders took place throughout the city.

Mayor Bloomberg attended the Second Chance ceremony at the Fire Academy on Randall's Island on May 23 where 13 people who were successfully resuscitated were reunited with the EMS member who saved them.

Rescue Competition

On May 22, teams of EMTs and Paramedics competed in simulated rescue missions at Metro Tech. This year's scenario was an automobile accident with four victims, said Chief Peruggia. EMS members and students from high schools affiliated with the Fire Department played the victims, he added. Two teams - one made up of EMTs and the other of Paramedics - competed at a time. The two first-place winners will go to a national competition in Florida. They received their trophies at the medal ceremony on May 24.

On May 23, members from the winning teams from the EMS competition joined Chief Peruggia and other EMS officers to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

"It was awesome," Chief Peruggia said.