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THE FDNY ACKNOWLEDGES MERITORIOUS ACTS AT 156TH MEDAL DAY
The FDNY held its 156th Medal Day Ceremony on June 4 at City Hall Plaza in Manhattan to honor the lifesaving actions by its members during incidents throughout the previous calendar year. The ceremony, which dates back to 1869, is one of the Department’s most time-honored traditions.
“Just think about it for a moment. Think about the natural instincts that are associated with fight and flight. Any time you see danger, you have a natural instinct to want to survive and run away from the danger that you’re facing. Every day, you go in contrast to that natural ability to run away,” Mayor Eric Adams said at the ceremony.
“In the New York City Fire Department, responding to fires and medical emergencies is what we do every day,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. “We respond no matter the time or location, the danger or the threat. We come when called. Today, we celebrate the best of the best—the incidents that truly are hair-raising, remarkable and heroic. We celebrate those moments that we know saved lives.”
Chief of Department John Esposito said: “It’s an honor to be here with you all
JUNE 2025
FIRE COMMISSIONER Robert S. Tucker
FIRST
We Are FDNY More on Page 2
MEET DIVISION CHIEF KAHLIA GRAHAM, BUREAU OF TRAINING
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REUNITING CARDIAC ARREST
PATIENTS WITH THEIR RESCUERS, THE FDNY HOLDS ITS 29TH SECOND
CHANCE CEREMONY
The FDNY held its 29th Second Chance Ceremony on May 21, 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 More on Page 2
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THE FDNY ACKNOWLEDGES MERITORIOUS ACTS AT
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today as we recognize the very best of the FDNY— those who have gone above and beyond because that is what the situation required. Each medal awarded today tells a story—one of decisive action, skill under pressure and, most of all, courage.”
At the FDNY’s 29th Second Chance Ceremony, eight cardiac arrest patients were reunited with the first responders and bystanders who helped save their lives.
The 2025 top medal recipients for incidents that occurred in 2024 were given to the following FDNY members:
Firefighter Michael Kotzo, of Ladder Company 28, received the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal for his role in two roof rope rescues during a fire in Harlem. In total, six medal were awarded for meritorious acts at the same fire.
EMTs Mitchell Tarnapolsky and Amber Black, both of Station 43, received the Christopher J. Prescott
Medal for rescuing two teenagers from the water in Coney Island.
The Department also gave out a new medal this year: The Dr. Sheldon Jacobson Award was given to Paramedic Franklin Kupferberg, of Station 4, who has worked in FDNY EMS for more than 40 years. Presented annually, the new medal will recognize a paramedic who demonstrates stellar, advanced life-saving skills and service. The medal honors the legacy of Dr. Sheldon Jacobson, the visionary who launched New York City's first paramedic program at Jacob Hospital in the Bronx in 1974.
Read through the 2025 FDNY Medal Day Book for a full list of this year’s medal recipients, as well as the stories that detail their bravery, by scanning the QR codes. n
REUNITING CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS WITH THEIR RESCUERS, THE FDNY HOLDS ITS 29TH SECOND CHANCE CEREMONY
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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. “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. 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 opportuni-
ty that brings first responders and patients together, allowing our teams to witness the incredible end product of all their rigorous training and education. 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 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. n
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The FDNY and the FDNY Foundation celebrated the 23rd class of the FDNY Officers Management Institute (FOMI) during a graduation ceremony May 28 in the Commissioner Robert O. Lowery Auditorium at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn.
(1) In an annual tradition to honor the dedication of emergency medical services professionals, the FDNY unveiled the 2025 EMS Week poster on May 15 at FDNY Headquarters. This year’s national theme: “We Care. For Everyone.” To help celebrate advancements in the City’s emergency medical services over the years, the 2025 poster seeks to honor all FDNY EMS members by featuring five paramedics, one representing each borough of New York City—a special tribute to commemorate five decades of the groundbreaking program. (2) To kick off EMS Week, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, Chief of EMS Operations Michael Fields and other EMS chiefs helped “flip the switch” at the ceremonial pre-lighting event at the Empire State Building. (3) On May 18, First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra joined other FDNY EMS members at the annual Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City Awards Ceremony at Russo’s on the Bay. (4) The 23rd Annual EMS Week Competition took place May 18 at the EMS Academy at Fort Totten. The Department’s EMTs and paramedics competed in various skills and knowledge-based challenges. (5) On May 21, the FDNY hosted its first-ever EMS Week Community Day, a public outreach event to engage, educate and connect with more than 200 youth ages 10-17. The event featured live demonstrations by EMTs, paramedics and the FDNY Robotics Unit and was designed to enhance public trust, promote health and safety awareness, and celebrate the vital role of EMS professionals. (6) The FDNY held a screening for “An Extraordinary Measure” on May 20 in Manhattan. The film depicts how New York City EMS paramedicine made its debut 50 years ago, advancing pre-hospital medical care, and tells the story of how it evolved into the FDNY’s elite paramedic program of today. The film was made with support from the FDNY Foundation. n