Courtesy of the FDNY
NEW YORK — The FDNY EMS Command celebrated life at the 15th Annual Second Chance Brunch on May 19, reuniting paramedics and EMTs with the victims of cardiac arrest whose lives they helped save.
“We’re all in awe of what you do each day,” said Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler during the event at the Fire Academy.
Tears of joy and embraces marked the ceremony, which enabled victims to thank the paramedics and EMTs who saved them.
“This event today brings into focus the important work our EMS members do each day,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “Because of the great work of our paramedics and EMTs, New York is considered one of the safest cities in the world.”
Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano added, “The capabilities of our members in the field are tremendous.”
Among the survivors was Barbara Schroeder, who patted one of her rescuers, Paramedic Alex Lipsitt, on the arm as she spoke to him.
On Dec. 15, 2008, the 62-year-old woman felt ill while at home with her son. She took some aspirin as her son called 911. When Paramedic Lipsitt and his partner, Clifton Pennie, arrived, they began applying intravenous fluids and hooked her to a heart monitor.
Moments later, she went into cardiac arrest. The members used a defibrillator to shock her heart back to a normal rhythm and hooked her up to an electrocardiogram machine, which showed her heart blockage. Then, because of a new FDNY program, they were able to transport her directly to Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, which is equipped to perform a specialized procedure to open the blockage.
“It feels wonderful to be here, my heart is jumping,” Ms. Schroeder said.
Paramedic Lipsitt smiled and said, “It’s so rewarding to see her happy and healthy now.”
Another survivor was 4-year-old Nicholas Grande. On June 10, 2007, when he was just 2-years-old, Nicholas fell into a swimming pool while at a birthday party. Two of the other party-goers performed CPR on the boy, restarting his pulse, but he was having difficulty breathing.
EMTs David Goodman and Linda Avellino placed a mask over his face to pump air into his lungs as they made their way to Staten Island University Hospital, and when they arrived at the facility, he had regained consciousness.
“It was a very overwhelming experience,” said EMT Goodman as he looked at the active boy. “It holds a special place in my heart.”
Nicholas’s mom, Samantha Grande, held her son and said, “It’s amazing they do this day in and day out. I’m so grateful; it’s hard to put it into words.”
Chief of EMS John Peruggia added the event highlighted the difficult work members of the EMS Command do each day, noting, “We are there to help people in their time of need. Saving lives can be stressful, but it’s rewarding.”