2026 FDNY Second Chance Ceremony

FIRE DEPARTMENT City of New York

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Second Chance Ceremony

May 20th, 2026 10:00 am

Nicotra's Ballroom 1100 South Avenue Staten Island, NY 10314

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Second Chance Ceremony

Fire Department City of New York

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Program Master of Ceremonies Captain Randy Li EMS Station 32

National Anthem

Captain Antonio Quinones Invocation

FDNY Chaplain Video Presentation Awards Remarks

Lillian Bonsignore Fire Commissioner John M. Esposito Chief of Department Paul Miano Chief of EMS Operations Introduction of Survivors Glenn Asaeda Chief Medical Director Office of Medical Affairs Benediction

FDNY Chaplain

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Second Chance Ceremony 2026

Robert Sevalrud On the morning of October 10, 2025, Robert Sevalrud was jogging along the West Side Highway when he suddenly collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest near the FDNY Marine 1 Station. Just one week earlier, Robert had completed a half marathon. Bystanders immediately began CPR while others ran to Marine 1 Station to seek help. Members assigned to Marine 1 quickly took over resuscitation efforts and delivered one shock with an FDNY defibrillator. FDNY EMS unit 07C2 arrived moments later and delivered a second shock, resulting in the return of spontaneous circulation. FDNY EMS ALS unit 02W2 then assumed patient care and transported Robert to the hospital.

Following treatment and completion of cardiac rehabilitation, Robert was discharged home. Today, Robert is still running! He’s even got a couple of races lined up for the future.

Fire Department City of New York

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Jack McMurrer 15-year-old Jack McMurrer has loved basketball since the fourth grade.

On March 8, 2025, while playing at the Brooklyn Basketball Association, Jack suddenly had trouble breathing before collapsing and suffering cardiac arrest. A doctor and a nurse, who were seated in the stands, immediately began CPR while others called 911. FDNY Engine Co. 279 arrived and continued resuscitation efforts, while FDNY EMS unit 48R2, with assistance from FDNY EMS unit 48G2, provided advanced life support interventions and medications. Their combined efforts resulted in the return of spontaneous circulation, and Jack was transported to the hospital for further care.

After spending nine days in the hospital and receiving an implanted defibrillator, Jack is back on the court, shooting three-pointers and planning to try out for his high school basketball team.

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Second Chance Ceremony 2026

Victor Mendoza Victor Mendoza was playing soccer during the early afternoon of November 15, 2025, when he started complaining that he did not feel well. Bystanders reported that Victor experienced seizure-like activity before collapsing on the sidelines and suffering cardiac arrest. One of the other players immediately recognized the emergency and began CPR. FDNY BLS unit 01C2 arrived on scene and continued resuscitation efforts, applying a defibrillator and delivering one shock. FDNY ALS unit 04X2 then arrived and administered a second defibrillation along with advanced life support medications.

Their coordinated efforts successfully restored circulation, and Victor was transported to the hospital without incident.

Fire Department City of New York

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Richard Lewis Richard Lewis, an NYPD Sergeant, was spending the afternoon with his son on January 16, 2026, when he began experiencing what he thought was an asthma attack and sat down in the vestibule of a nearby building.

FDNY Division Chief Mark Bonilla and FDNY BLS unit 49I2 were flagged down for a person having difficulty breathing. The crew immediately began treatment and requested ALS backup. While being carried to the ambulance, Sgt. Lewis briefly stopped breathing and lost pulses.

FDNY ALS unit XR4 arrived as Sgt. Lewis went back into cardiac arrest.

Advanced life support medications were administered, resulting in the return of spontaneous circulation.

Today, Sgt. Lewis is back at work at the Queens District Attorney’s Office and says he is feeling great.

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Second Chance Ceremony 2026

Rodney Delacruz Rodney Delacruz, a 52-year-old teacher at Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, began experiencing abdominal discomfort and slight dizziness during the early afternoon of January 30, 2025. He thought his symptoms were from acid reflux. FDNY ALS unit 51Z2 arrived on scene and found Mr. Delacruz alert and oriented but quickly recognized that he was suffering a heart attack. Shortly thereafter, he lost pulses and stopped breathing. Members of 51Z2 immediately began CPR, delivered one shock with their cardiac monitor, and administered advanced life support medications. The efforts resulted in the return of spontaneous circulation. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center unit 89N2 then arrived to transport Mr. Delacruz to the hospital for further care. It was later determined that Mr. Delacruz had suffered a blockage of the left anterior descending artery, commonly referred to as a “widowmaker” heart attack. Today, he’s back in the classroom and continues teaching.

Fire Department City of New York

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Kevin Travis Lieutenant Kevin Travis was attending First Line Supervisory Training Program (FLSTP) training on Randalls Island on June 18, 2025, when he began feeling progressively unwell during a live burn drill. Lieutenant Travis removed himself from the exercise before collapsing outside the building, prompting a CODE RED transmission. FLSTP classmates immediately began CPR as members of the FDNY EMS Haz-Tac Battalion, including ALS unit E09U, responded and delivered one shock, resulting in the return of spontaneous circulation. Lieutenant Travis soon opened his eyes and began moving his head. He was rapidly placed into the ambulance, where he began speaking and stated, “I’m fine.”

Lieutenant Travis remained hospitalized for four nights before being sent home. On March 24, 2026, he received an implanted defibrillator.

Since his cardiac arrest, Lieutenant Travis has continued an active lifestyle, walking or running 4–6 miles daily. He recently hiked at Bear Mountain.

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Second Chance Ceremony 2026

Deshaun Faulk Deshaun Faulk was having a seizure, and neighbors called 911.

Engine 302 and FDNY EMS ALS Units 54R2 and 51A2 arrived on scene, and Deshaun began to have another seizure while being placed on the stretcher. ALS medications were administered, and Deshaun was placed on a monitor. The monitor showed Deshaun’s cardiac rhythm had changed and he required cardioversion. This rhythm quickly changed to a cardiac arrest.

Deshaun received one defibrillation shock. CPR was initiated, and ALS medications were administered. Circulation and breathing were restored, but Deshaun was in and out of cardiac arrest. He required a total of three shocks before his cardiac rhythm was restored and he was taken to the emergency department. Deshaun received a defibrillator while in the hospital and went through cardiac rehabilitation.

Fire Department City of New York

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FDNY EMS WEEK 2026

Improving Outcomes, Together.

Everyone in this photo of active EMS members responded on September 11, 2001, and worked in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani Mayor Lillian Bonsignore Fire Commissioner

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Learn more about careers with FDNY EMS JoinFDNY.com

@JoinFDNY

CREATED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FDNY FOUNDATION

Second Chance Ceremony 2026

A special thank you to the FDNY Foundation for its generous support.

Fire Department City of New York

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The Pintchik family's devotion to FDNY EMS dates back to 1980, when New York City Paramedics Kenn 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.

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

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Second Chance Ceremony 2026

FDNY EMS WEEK May 17- 23, 2026 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 millions of Americans each year.

The Department honors all FDNY EMS members for their commitment and dedication.

EMS Week also features special events and forums that seek to educate the public.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani Mayor

Lillian Bonsignore Fire Commissioner