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Paramedics receive top EMS award at FDNY Medal Day ceremony

FDNY’s top EMS operations medal recognized two paramedics for their work at a Brooklyn fire

NEW YORK — FDNY paramedics Naytasha Doyle and Paul Saladis III were honored with the Christopher J. Prescott Medal at the department’s 157th Medal Day Ceremony.

The medal, FDNY’s top EMS operations honor, recognized Doyle and Saladis for providing lifesaving treatment to a critically injured patient in Brooklyn. The two previously worked together at Station 44, the department said in a press release.

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On Dec. 23, 2025, Paramedics Doyle and Saladis, who is now a probationary firefighter, were responding to a call when they spotted flames coming from the second-floor windows of a large four-story residential building in Brooklyn.

As the first FDNY crew on scene, they relayed critical information to incoming units, including access points, then entered the building to help evacuate residents.

After a critically injured victim was removed from the building, Doyle and Saladis began lifesaving treatment for prolonged smoke exposure.

“Their swift actions led arriving firefighters to the door of a trapped family and safely removed them from the building. One of those residents was suffering prolonged exposure to smoke and Paramedic Doyle and Saladis administered the medications that brought the victim back to life,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “Thanks to the collaborative efforts of both FDNY fire and EMS units, two lives were saved.”

Doyle joined the FDNY in 2018 and is a 17-year U.S. Army Reserve veteran. She has received four pre-hospital saves, a Unit Citation and a COVID-19 commendation.

Saladis joined the FDNY in 2018 and has received two Unit Citations, multiple pre-hospital saves and an Excellence in Clinical Care award.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.