MyFDNY News: June 2025

MyFDNY NEWS

JUNE 2 0 2 5 FIRE COMMISSIONER Robert S. Tucker FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Mark Guerra CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT John M. Esposito

We Are FDNY

MEET DIVISION CHIEF KAHLIA GRAHAM, BUREAU OF TRAINING Page 4

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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

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Spotlight

REUNITING CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS WITH THEIR RESCUERS, THE FDNY HOLDS ITS 29TH SECOND CHANCE CEREMONY

DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 23RD GRADUATING CLASS OF THE FDNY OFFICERS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

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

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. MyFDNY Dashboard

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CELEBRATING EMS WEEK 2025

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. The Wrap

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THE FDNY ACKNOWLEDGES MERITORIOUS ACTS AT 156TH MEDAL DAY READ THE STORIES BEHIND THIS YEAR’S TOP MEDALS

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The FDNY Insider is now MyFDNY News! This monthly publication will be available in print and online.

FDNY COMMISSIONER

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

On May 30, I joined FDNY’s senior leadership at Columbia University for The Community Initiatives’ “Fireproof Your Future” event. We spoke with students about careers with the Department, and hopefully I shook the hands of some future firefighters, EMTs and paramedics!

Follow FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker @FDNYFC

8 DID YOU KNOW? 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.

MyFDNY CALENDAR

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.”

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

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EMS Operations

REUNITING CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS WITH THEIR RESCUERS, THE FDNY HOLDS ITS 29TH SECOND CHANCE CEREMONY Continued from Page 1 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

DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 23RD GRADUATING CLASS OF THE FDNY OFFICERS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE UPCOMING HOLIDAY 19 June | Juneteenth UPCOMING PAYDAYS 20 June, 3 July and 18 July SAVE THE DATES 11 Sept. | Citywide Remembrances 08 Oct. | FDNY Memorial Day

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.

FOMI was established in 2002, developed based on a recommendation in the McKinsey Report that was completed in the wake of September 11th. Funded by the FDNY Foundation, FOMI aims to make the FDNY more resilient and stronger by giving high-ranking officers and executive staff a solid foundation in management principles and leadership strategy. The six-month program is offered through Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and includes instruction from educators at Columbia, NYU, Wharton and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as business leaders from major corporations. n

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(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

We Are FDNY

MEET DIVISION CHIEF KAHLIA GRAHAM, BUREAU OF TRAINING 1. What is your name, title and years at FDNY? Where are you currently assigned, and what are your work-related responsibilities?

My first name is Kahlia Graham. I was recently promoted to division chief on May 31 of this year (2024). I’ve been with the FDNY for 18 years, since May 11, 2006. I am currently assigned to the EMS Bureau of Training.

I assist with scheduling and coordinating the programs that we have for basic life support (BLS), the advanced life support (ALS), the refreshers, the youth alumni program—which is relatively new—and also the regular youth-focused WEMSA program. I assist Chief Tonya Boyd as she allocates funds for the budget and different things that we need to purchase at the academy, such as book orders, program supplies and all the essential items. We have numerous programs running simultaneously. I also assist with regional faculty to ensure we are compliant with the state regulations within our many programs.

FDNY FIRE OFFICERS PROMOTED AT CEREMONY ON STATEN ISLAND

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2. What called you to a life of public service at FDNY? What called me to a life of public service starts with my mom.

She is a retired registered nurse; she has always been a public servant. I was able to watch her be kind and helpful. She’s worked in so many different departments—she was in the ER, she was in ICU, she worked in nursing homes, she was a visiting nurse, and I actually went to work with her on some of those days to see the things she did. So that is what called me to this profession.

I really did feel the need to help people, and I’ve had an amazing experience thus far meeting people, working with various people and helping our community.

3. Can you share one of your most memorable moments while working at FDNY? When I was promoted to deputy chief, it stays with me as a memorable moment. I didn’t necessarily have aspirations to become a chief, but once I was given the opportunity, I was very appreciative that someone saw in me things that I didn’t see in myself and gave me an opportunity to be a leader in this capacity.

Being able to interact with so many different members within the Department on such a vast level, and just to have the opportunity to encourage others, lead them, teach them the ways that I do things, give them different ideas, take in their ideas and work together as a big team to help make the Department, has been a memorable journey.

4. What does We Are FDNY mean to you?

When I hear We Are FDNY, it makes me think of unity and all of us working together as one department. Over the years, that has been something that we’ve had to work really hard to achieve, and I think we’re getting a lot closer to our goal.

Each day, we put on these uniforms and we’re a representation of the Department and of each other. I hope that as we go out and we help the community, as we meet people and we serve people, we learn different things or show people different things, and as we respond to emergencies or fires, along the way we realize that we are one collective unit, one family. People see FDNY—they don’t see deputy chief, they don’t see EMT, they don’t see paramedic; they just see FDNY. 5. What is your superpower (best quality or skill)?

My superpower is my ability to be empathetic. People always say, “Oh, you’re so nice,” and I say, “Oh, I’m not a nice person; I’m a good person.” I think the difference between a nice person and a good person is being empathetic. You can relate to people and feel what they’re feeling, so you can relate to them more deeply and have a better understanding of what they’re going through. It really helps me connect with people all the time in this job and out in the community when we go on different assignments. I’ve rarely had any negative situations here at work or in the community thanks to my empathy-powered superpower.

The FDNY promoted members of fire operations to several officer ranks on May 29 during a ceremony on Staten Island. “Being a leader in the FDNY is more than just your rank. It’s being a role model, a quick thinker, and the person who people can turn to for help and guidance,” FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. Among the promoted members was Firefighter Mark Dziemian, of Engine 217, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He has been hospitalized since going into cardiac arrest while operating at a 2-alarm fire in Brooklyn in March. Lieutenant Dziemian’s wife accepted her husband’s promotion on behalf of their family. n

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podcast highlights

Important links in the chain of survival with FDNY Chief Inspector Kingsley Eze and Paramedics Alexis Gonzalez and Youssef Al Hammami

“It's really about connecting with culture.” - JoinFDNY Podcast Episode 29

Throwback FDNY to 1870, when a challenging fire in Brooklyn takes place under water

THE WRAP

6. How does your role support the public safety mission of the FDNY? My role supports the public safety mission of the FDNY by being involved in training. Training is where it all begins. We take in the people who are this blank slate, per se, and we turn them into amazing paramedics and EMTs to go out into the field to help the community and represent the mission of the Department. n

FDNY PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE AT 2025 MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY The FDNY gathered on May 23 to remember the Department’s members who made the Supreme Sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The annual ceremony took place at VFW Post 12033 at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island. The VFW Post is named after fallen firefighter and Staff Sergeant Christian Engeldrum, who served in the Army National Guard. n

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On June 8, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra and the FDNY Hispanic Society marched in the 68th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Manhattan. n