By Laura French
NEW YORK — The FDNY is celebrating National EMS Week with a new poster spotlighting seven EMS providers to spread awareness about their work.
The department unveiled the poster on Sunday, which bears the slogan “Ready Today, Preparing for Tomorrow” and shows the seven EMS members wearing face masks as they work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The posters will be displayed outside the NYC Fire Museum and on digital LinkNYC kiosks across the city, according to the Staten Island Advance.
“EMS Week is a time each year when we stop to acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous work of our EMTs and Paramedics. COVID-19 has forced us to postpone or cancel our events this year, but I think every New Yorker – and those around the world – have witnessed the heroic efforts of our members during this pandemic and realized why they are rightfully known as ‘the Best’ in our city,” FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement. “The training, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to care for their patients have been on display each and every day as they’ve shouldered the highest call volumes in our Department’s history. I’m incredibly proud of their remarkable service.”
The EMS providers featured are Paramedic Xiaotian Bao, Station 8, Manhattan; EMT Michael Watenberg, Station 4, Manhattan; Paramedic Juan Gavilanes, Station 31, Brooklyn; EMT Jasmine Miranda, Station 46, Queens; EMT Davidson Tout-Puissant, Station 8, Manhattan; Capt. Lorena Concepcion-Martinez, Station 55, Bronx; and Paramedic Kimberley Laychock, Division 5, Staten Island.
The department will spotlight each provider on its social media channels for each day of EMS Week.
So far, the FDNY has shared the stories of Concepcion-Martinez and Gavilanes.
“I’ve been on this job for 18 years and I’m excited to represent the Department and my station. This week is about acknowledging all the hard work EMS does, especially during this pandemic. Calling us essential doesn’t even begin to describe the work and need for EMS during this time,” Conception-Martinez said in a statement. “We’re all stepping up and taking care of each other, whether it’s talking to one another, or working others’ tours if they are out sick. At my station, we are working long hours because we are dedicated to taking care of our community.”
“We all work so hard every day and I am blessed to work next to people I consider family. We haven’t been able to see our families in a while, so we look out for each other during this time,” said Gavinales in a statement. “We work as a team, we’re brothers and sisters. It’s humbling to see the emotional power we have over each other. We have seen so much death and we’re able to support each other through this.”