Fire and a swarm of bees wreaked havoc on Metrotech Commons on May 21, as members participated in the 10th Annual EMS Competition and Health Fair.
“This week – and this event – really shows people what we do as a Department,” said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. “I’m proud to be your Commissioner.”
Chief of EMS John Peruggia added, “You were all very impressive. You represent the Department as true professionals.”
The competition, coordinated by EMS Deputy Chief Andrew Werner and Lt. James Fallar in the Office of Medical Affairs, tested each team’s ability to think on their feet, assess complicated situations, make use of new equipment and procedures, and communicate.
Paramedics participating in the ALS competition were faced with treating two victims of a fire – an adult male and a 6-year-old child – who suffered smoke inhalation and cyanide poisoning. The mannequin that served as the adult was set up to a computer that allowed coordinators to control everything from its blinking to sweating. The participants also could hook up an intravenous line to this “˜victim.’
EMTs taking part in the BLS competition were treating victims – an adult woman and a teenage boy – having an allergic reaction to bee stings. The woman was unable to hear, so EMTs could use a new visual translator that enables victims to point to pictures in a book to communicate.
Five Advanced Life Support (ALS) and six Basic Life Support (BLS) teams participated in the challenge.
EMT Raul Baez from Station 18 has only been on the job for six months, but says that he wanted to be a part of the Division 2 team because, “I love competition.”
He said he was a little overwhelmed by the scenario, but “overall, I think it went well.”
Lt. David Burke from Station 54, who has more than 20 years on the job, was competing for the first time as well. He said he and his teammates, Paramedic Kevin Ramdayal and Yani Klein (both three year veterans) had “great communication” while competing and “they carried it through beautifully.”
The team agreed that the scenario was very realistic, as they often respond to fires while at work in Queens. And their hard work paid off – they received first place in the ALS competition.
“It didn’t feel overwhelming at all,” Paramedic Ramdayal said.
Paramedic Klein added, “It was an awesome experience.”
The Division 4 team won first place for BLS, Division 3 won second and Division 1 took third. For ALS, second place was won by Division 2 and Division 1 took third.
The event was sponsored by the FDNY Foundation, Philips and Dominoes.
During the event, the Command also unveiled a music video titled “EMS Anthem” by Paramedic Farooq Muhammad, which was about his devotion to the job. And the FDNY CPR unit trained more than 100 members of the public during the annual event.
ALS Teams
Division 1
Paramedic Feliks Granovskiy, Station 4
Paramedic William Meringolo, Station 4
Paramedic Anlo Yu, Station 4
Division 2
Paramedic Leonard Joyner, Station 4
Paramedic Joseph Spinelli, Station 17
Paramedic Matthew Olton, Station 26
Division 3
Lt. Michelle Robbins, Station 58
Paramedic Aaron Aguirre, Station 58
Paramedic Christopher Natoli, Station 58
Division 4
Lt. David Burke, Station 54
Paramedic Kevin Ramdayal, Station 54
Paramedic Yonatan Klein, Station 54
Division 5
Paramedic Jane Corella, Station 43
Paramedic Stuart Weinstein, Station 43
Paramedic Matt Jachyra, Station 40
BLS Teams
Division 1
EMT Frank Laino, Station 4
EMT Miguel Perez, Station 50
EMT Michael Schafer, Station 4
Division 2
EMT Raul Baez, Station 18
EMT Bruce Geiser, Station 18
EMT Daniel Burgos, Station 18
Division 3
EMT Androw Tovar, Station 58
EMT Thomas Siciliano, Station 58
EMT Philip Derosa, Station 58
Division 4
EMT William DeSantis, Station 50
EMT Christopher Griffin, Station 50
EMT Melody Polanco, Station 50
Division 5
EMT Patricia Scaduto, Div. 5 Command
EMT Marcella Rivera, Station 23
EMT Mary Vanicky, Station 23
EMD
EMT Anthony Terranova, Bureau of Communications, EMD
EMT Oren Barzilay, Bureau of Communications, EMD
EMT Ricardo Ortega, Bureau of Communications, EMD
