2024 FDNY Second Chance Ceremony

PROGRAM

Master of Ceremonies: Captain Randy Li

EMS Station 32

National Anthem: Firefighter Bryan Robinson

Invocation: Reverend Pamela Holmes

FDNY Chaplain

Remarks: Laura Kavanagh

Fire Commissioner

John J. Hodgens

Chief of Department

Introduction of Survivors: Glenn Asaeda

Chief Medical Director Office of Medical Affairs

Benediction: Reverend Pamela Holmes

FDNY Chaplain

MICHAEL ALLEN

On Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 72-year-old Michael Allen was playing tennis in Astoria Park. After about 30 minutes he began to feel winded and stopped playing. As he stood alongside the court, he started talking with another player about how people had died on the tennis court. Minutes later, he unexpectedly collapsed. Bystanders quickly sprang into action and alerted a doctor on a nearby court. Dr. Mir Kibira immediately rushed to Mr. Allen’s side and quickly began CPR and directed bystanders to call 911. He performed several rounds of CPR with the help of Mr. Mirko Spajic, until first responders arrived on scene.

Station 49 Paramedics arrived and quickly determined that Mr. Allen was in cardiac arrest. They took over CPR, attached their defibrillator, and delivered one shock. Station 49 EMTs and a Lieutenant, along with members from Engine Company 312, arrived on scene next to assist with care.

They continued CPR, and a second shock was delivered. After more than 20 minutes of resuscitation efforts, Mr. Allen finally had a pulse and was fully alert when he was loaded into the ambulance. The Paramedics determined that he was having a heart attack and transported him to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital.

Mr. Allen was admitted to the hospital for nearly a month and underwent coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. He has recovered well and enjoys traveling to Massachusetts to visit his daughter. He is extremely grateful to be alive today.

JOHN CERNES

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 54-year-old John Cernes went out for an early morning cigarette and suddenly became nauseous and started vomiting. His wife immediately came to his aide and went to get ice from the kitchen. She returned to find that Mr. Cernes had collapsed to the floor. He was unresponsive, so she dialed 911. The dispatcher, Kevin Urena, recognized that Mr. Cernes was likely in cardiac arrest. Mrs. Cernes advised the Mr. Urena that she had learned CPR many years ago but had never performed it. Mr. Urena skillfully guided her through the process and Mrs. Cernes performed CPR until first responders arrived.

Firefighters from Engine 216 were first on scene and quickly determined Mr. Cernes was in cardiac arrest. They took over CPR and delivered one shock with the defibrillator. Station 35 Paramedics, EMTs, and a Lieutenant arrived at the scene. They applied the LUCAS device, placed a breathing tube, established an IV, and administered a variety of resuscitation medications. Mr. Cernes was shocked with the defibrillator a total of five times. After extensive effort, he finally regained his pulse but remained unresponsive. He was rapidly transported to Woodhull Hospital.

He remained in the hospital for six days and had a stent placed in his heart during his stay. He has fully recovered and is forever grateful for his “second chance.” Mrs. Cernes says the FDNY is their second family now.

DYLAN GARCIA

In January 2023, 12-year-old Dylan Garcia was running in gym class at school when he suddenly fell forward and hit the floor face-first. School staff quickly called 911.

Firefighters from Engine 293 were first on scene. They assessed Dylan and determined that he was in cardiac arrest. They started CPR, applied a defibrillator, and delivered one shock with no change in his condition. Paramedics from Station 45, a Lieutenant from Station 49, and EMTs from Long Island Jewish Hospital arrived on scene to assist. Together, they continued CPR and delivered a second shock.

Dylan regained his pulse and units quickly established an IV, placed a breathing tube, and rapidly transported him to Jamaica Hospital. Dylan was stabilized and then transferred to Cohens Children’s Hospital. Doctors found he was suffering from acute Myocarditis secondary to a COVID-19 infection. Dylan has made an excellent recovery and has returned to school full-time. His family expresses tremendous gratitude for his “second chance.”

SOTIRIOS GOURNAS

In December 2023, 61-year-old Sotirios Gournas was home hanging Christmas decorations when he felt an unusual pressure in his chest. He continued decorating but began to feel dizzy. Mr. Gournas headed down to his basement to get some water and rest but didn’t feel any better. He instructed his daughter Georgia to call 911. The EMS dispatcher instructed him to lie down while they waited for first responders.

Station 49 Paramedics, EMTs, and a Lieutenant arrived on scene in minutes. They found Mr. Gournas fully alert and lying on the floor, complaining of chest pain and dizziness. The crews quickly performed an EKG and determined he was having a heart attack. They began to administer medication to help with his symptoms. As they were transporting him to the ambulance on a stretcher, Mr. Gournas became unresponsive and collapsed into cardiac arrest. The crews started CPR and quickly delivered one shock and Mr. Gournas regained consciousness and was fully alert. They rapidly transported him to Mount Sinai Queens for treatment.

He was rushed to the Cardiac Cath Lab upon arrival to the emergency room and had one stent placed in his heart. He remained in the hospital for just three days and made a full recovery. Mr. Gournas greatly thanks the First Responders who saved his life that day!

YI-JOO KWON

On the morning of the 2023 NYC Marathon, runner Yi-Joo Kwon was dropped off at the starting point by his daughter Elaine. The 77-year-old was excited to run the marathon that morning and began sending selfies to his friends and family from the start. Just as Mr. Kwon began his run, he collapsed without warning on the upper level of the Verrazano Bridge.

A Special Event BLS unit was first to arrive on scene. They quickly determined that Mr. Kwon was in cardiac arrest and began CPR. The crew attached their AED and delivered one shock. Station 23 EMTs and an additional Special Event unit with Paramedics arrived to assist with care. They attached their EKG monitor and established an IV. Mr. Kwon had a pulse, but his heart was beating very slowly. The members administered additional medication to stabilize him and transported him to Staten Island University North hospital.

Mr. Kwon was admitted to the hospital for five days and had several stents placed in his heart during his stay. He has fully recovered since then and plans to run in future marathons. In his life, he has completed nearly 250 marathons, including a 3500-mile run from Los Angeles to New York City over three months in 2010, which he did for charity. Mr. Kwon and his family are forever grateful to the heroes whose efforts who have allowed him to continue running.

RAINELLE MCKUNE

On a cold day in January 2023, Ms. Rainelle McKune and her sister Roniesha decided they were going to wash their dog Karter in the bathroom. Shortly after that, 19-year-old Rainelle began having a severe asthma attack and called out to her sister. Ronesha found Rainelle sweating profusely and struggling to breathe. She called 911 and began CPR with guidance from dispatcher EMT Melvin Aviles.

Station 13 EMTs arrived first and quickly assessed Rainelle. They confirmed she was now in cardiac arrest, took over CPR, and attached their AED. Engine 69, Station 14 Paramedics, and a Station 16 Lieutenant arrived soon after to assist. CPR was continued while they established an IV, administered resuscitation medications and placed a breathing tube. After 36 minutes of resuscitation efforts, Rainelle regained her pulse but remained unconscious. She was rapidly transported to Harlem Hospital and began to wake upon arrival at the Emergency Room.

Rainelle was admitted to the hospital for five days and remained intubated for several days after. Before this event, Rainelle had never been intubated or had such a severe allergic response to her dog. Fortunately, her sister Roniesha had previous CPR training because she works with children. Rainelle has made a full recovery since and is back to enjoying life again. They are both incredibly grateful for her “second chance” at life.

WILFREDO RUIZ

On January 22, 2022, 58-yaer-old Wilfredo Ruiz collapsed in his home. His wife, Gladis, found him and quickly alerted her son Freddy. Freddy’s roommate, Ceasar Reyes from the FDNY Youth High School Program, arrived at the house. Freddy called 911, while Ceasar started CPR with guidance from dispatcher EMT Dale Garcia.

Station 39 EMTs were first to arrive and determined Mr. Ruiz was in cardiac arrest. Engine 290, Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital EMTs, and a Station 59 Lieutenant and EMT arrived on scene. They continued CPR, established an IV, and placed a breathing tube. They attached the defibrillator and delivered a shock. They continued their intense resuscitation efforts, and after nearly 20 minutes of effort, Mr. Ruiz regained his pulse. He was rapidly transported to the hospital.

Mr. Ruiz was admitted to Brookdale Hospital for nearly a month. During his stay, he had a stent placed and an internal defibrillator implanted. The event inspired Mr. Ruiz’s daughter Desiree so much that she enrolled in the FDNY Youth High School Program and is currently a student there today. Mr. Ruiz expresses great gratitude to all the First Responders who saved his life that day and hopes his story will encourage more community youth to join the FDNY program to become First Responders.

GEORGE YEE

On Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, 56-year-old George Lee and his wife Isabel parked their car near their home after a morning of shopping. As Mr. Yee exited the car, he collapsed in the street without warning. Nearby bystanders came to his aid and immediately called 911.

Engine 205 arrived first, applied their AED, and delivered two shocks with no change to Mr. Yee’s condition. Station 32 EMTs arrived and continued CPR and delivered a third shock. Mr. Yee regained a pulse after eight minutes of effort. Station 32 Paramedics arrived and placed an IV, performed an EKG, and stabilized Mr. Yee before rapidly transporting him to Brooklyn Hospital.

Mr. Yee was admitted to the hospital and had one stent placed. He has fully recovered since and has returned to work. He is so grateful to all the First Responders who helped save his life that day and knows their quick response made it 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 honor EMS members annually for their hard work, dedication and ability to profoundly touch the lives of so many fellow New Yorkers and visitors. -19-

The Fire Department would like to thank the Pintchik Family for their generous support in making this annual event possible.

FDNY EMS WEEK

May 15-21, 2022

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.

Honorable Eric Adams Mayor Laura Kavanagh Acting Fire Commissioner May 19-25, 2024

Honorable Eric Adams Mayor Laura Kavanagh Fire Commissioner