Stories from the 22nd Annual FDNY Second Chance Ceremony
May 18, 2016
On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in celebration of National EMS Week 2016, FDNY held the 22nd annual Second Chance Ceremony at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island. This special event reunited thirteen patients, who have survived cardiac arrest, with the Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, FDNY EMS Officers, Firefighters, bystanders and other first responders who helped save their lives.
Second Chance Stories
Joseph Sorrentino, 60, was playing basketball at a New York Sports Club on Staten Island on December 1, 2015 when he collapsed on the court and went into cardiac arrest. Gym staff and two off-duty FDNY Firefighters, Lieutenant David Cirillo of Ladder Company 159 and Firefighter Daniel Mackey of Engine Company 166, began CPR and used the facility’s automatic external defibrillator to administer one shock, which restored Mr. Sorrentino’s circulation. Captain Sean O’Sullivan and Firefighters Frank Cseko, John Carl, and Steve Bischoff of Engine Company 154 arrived and provided additional care, assisting Mr. Sorrentino’s breathing. Emergency Medical Technicians Ernest Russo Jr. and Jennifer Patania from Station 22 and Lieutenant Patrick Perrotta from Station 23 responded to find that Mr. Sorrentino’s pulse had been restored. Paramedics Edva Pace and Joseph Yu from Station 22 were next to arrive, providing intravenous medication and continuing to monitor Mr. Sorrentino’s heart during his transport to Richmond University Medical Center.
Thanks to many on-duty and off-duty FDNY members, Mr. Sorrentino has received a second chance.
Retired FDNY Firefighter Kenny Ruane, 67, was found by his wife on the floor of his home barely breathing on November 24, 2015. He had felt ill for several days and now his condition had severely worsened. His wife called 911 for help. The Ruane home was soon filled with first responders looking to help. Lieutenant John Hillery and Firefighters Eric O’Connor, Robert Stuart, Steven McCarren and Erwin Arredondo from Engine Company 308; as well as Emergency Medical Technicians Allen Doura and Lawrence Paredes from Jamaica Hospital arrived to find Firefighter Ruane in cardiac arrest. They began CPR and administered two shocks with an automatic external defibrillator. Paramedics Emily Moy and Tanika Gillison from Station 50 were next to arrive, providing intravenous medication and cardiac monitoring that showed a critical blockage in Firefighter Ruane’s heart. With the assistance of Lieutenant William Rich of Station 46, Firefighter Ruane was transported to Jamaica Hospital where he recovered for some time. For 43 years, Kenny responded to fires and medical emergencies in New York City, providing outstanding medical care and risking his life to save others. Thanks to the men and women who responded in his time of need, he is enjoying a well-deserved second chance.
Retired Firefighter Felix “Flip” Mullen, 71, was on his way to church on April 3, 2015 when he began to feel very ill. His wife Rita drove him to Bayview Urgent Care Center where he went into cardiac arrest. The staff immediately initiated CPR and called 911. Emergency Medical Technicians Stephanie McCaffrey and Jeffrey Levine of Station 47 arrived, applied an automatic external defibrillator and administered one shock. They were soon joined by Lieutenant John Johnson and Firefighters William Main, Stephen Curiale, Brian Walsh and Kevin Swift of Engine Company 268, who joined in the care of Firefighter Mullen. Paramedics Daniel Keegan and Vijay Rampersad, and Lieutenant Andrew Dunn, also of Station 47, arrived and continued resuscitation protocols, finding a critical blockage in his heart through cardiac monitoring. As they prepared to administer intravenous medication, Firefighter Mullen opened his eyes and asked where he was. While being transported to Jamaica hospital, he continued to communicate with the members who responded to save him. For 20 years, Firefighter Mullen was a member of the FDNY, risking his life to save others. His son Brian followed his father into the FDNY. After his retirement, Firefighter Mullen has stayed active in his community and volunteered to support Department events, including programs for severely wounded members of the United States Armed Forces. Thanks to outstanding efforts of those who proudly wear the same uniform he once did, Firefighter Mullen has received a second chance.
Gaspare Cassara, 49, was in line to buy breakfast at 8:15 on the morning of August 1, 2015 when he collapsed to the floor. Minutes later, Lieutenant Konstantine Rallis and Firefighters Robert Schnall, Guillermo Hernandez, James Lodispoto and Kevin Flood from Engine Company 326 responded, finding Mr. Cassara on the floor in cardiac arrest. They quickly initiated CPR and shocked him once with an automatic external defibrillator (AED). Mr. Cassara received a second shock from the AED when Emergency Medical Technicians Jazmine Moore and Joshua Lombardi of Station 50 arrived. This second shock restored his heartbeat. Paramedics Robertson Marc and Vijay Rampersad, also Station 50 were next on scene, and found Mr. Cassara had a strong pulse and was breathing on his own once again. Together with Lieutenant Christopher Emhardt of Station 50, the team of Paramedics and EMTs transported Mr. Cassara to Queens Hospital Center for further treatment. Thanks to the swift response and training of all who responded, Mr. Cassara is enjoying his second chance.
Lawrence Dooley, 67, of Bayonne, NJ, was walking on Madison Avenue in the afternoon of November 17, 2015 when he collapsed on the street. Several Good Samaritans called 911 for help and began bystander CPR, an act which played an important role in Mr. Dooley’s survival. Paramedics David Besemer and Andreana Kripalani from Station 7 in midtown Manhattan arrived and began to treat Mr. Dooley. They applied a cardiac monitor and ascertained that he was in a deadly cardiac arrhythmia. After shocking his heart into a normal rhythm, they were able to restore Mr. Dooley’s heartbeat and get him breathing once again. Emergency Medical Technicians Drew Smith and John Rella, also of Station 7, arrived to assist with the treatment and transport of Mr. Dooley Bellevue Hospital. Thanks to the actions of these four emergency medical professionals from Station 7, as well as several bystanders who came to his aide, Mr. Dooley was able to speak to doctors and tell them about his second chance.
NYPD Sergeant Frank Tamburrino, 47, was on duty at NYPD Headquarters on May 27, 2015 when he suddenly collapsed. His fellow NYPD members, Luis Rojas, Yarmaine June, Latreva Mumford, Jascinth Marner, Louis Joseph and Sgt. Lisa Connor initiated CPR and called for additional resources to respond. Lieutenant David Gomez and Firefighters David Rodriguez, Michael Pritchett, Patrick Connors and Daniel Reilly of Engine Company 6 and Paramedics Mingze Wu and Niall O’Shaughnessy of Station 4 arrived in minutes to find Sgt. Tamburrino in cardiac arrest. The Paramedics used a cardiac monitor to provide three shocks and were able to successfully restore a normal cardiac rhythm. Emergency Medical Technicians Eugene Trinidad Carrero and Michelle York of New York Presbyterian Hospital arrived to assist with the care of Sgt. Tamburrino. With the assistance of Lieutenant Peter Auricchio of Station 4 and Deputy Chief Stephen Lincke, Sgt. Tamburrino was transported to Beth Israel Medical Center, where he recovered. Thanks to the quick actions of his fellow NYPD members and the timely response and treatment by Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs, Sgt. Tamburrino’s life was saved and he was given a second chance.
Joseph Musanti, 59, a carpenter on break at a construction site in Times Square, was having breakfast on the morning of January 11, 2016, when he clutched his chest and collapsed. One of his coworkers, a retired FDNY Firefighter, Hank Molle, immediately began CPR and continued chest compressions until Emergency Medical Technicians James Pointer and Jessenia Reyes from New York University Hospital arrived. The EMTs took over CPR and shocked Mr. Musanti with an external defibrillator in an attempt to restore his heartbeat. Paramedics Dennis Tavernite and Megan Pfeiffer from Station 7 responded and provided advanced life support, including administration of intravenous medications and intubation of Mr. Musanti. They were joined by Lieutenant John Paul Dimen of Station 8. Lieutenant Christopher Delmaestro and Firefighters Nicholas Ciano, Eric Howard, Jonathan Bush and Stephen Ragaglia of Engine Company 54; and Lieutenant Brian McDonnell and Firefighters Patrick Parrot, Matthew Boone, Edward Coyle, Paul Fischetti and Randy Meredith of Ladder Company 4 placed Mr. Musanti in a stokes basket and maneuvered him through narrow planks and sharp obstructions to remove him from the construction site and into a waiting ambulance. On the way to Bellevue Hospital Mr. Musanti heart stopped several more times. Each time, Paramedics continued treatment to keep him alive, eventually restoring his heartbeat before he reached the emergency room.
Thanks to so many active FDNY members, EMTs from NYU Hospital and one retired FDNY member, Mr. Musanti was given a second chance.
Vincent Chau, 40, was found unconscious on the floor of his home on March 28, 2015. His wife discovered him around 6 a.m. and quickly called 911 for help. Minutes later, Captain William Hartman and Firefighters Patrick Delmage, Joseph Delgiudice, Jesse Cusimano, and Thomas McVeigh of Engine Company 254 arrived to find Mr. Chau in cardiac arrest, prompting them to initiate CPR. They were soon joined by Emergency Medical Technicians Richard Demola and Jonathan D’Ambrosio of Station 43, who tried to restore Mr. Chau’s heartbeat by shocking him with an external defibrillator. Paramedics Valeri Makarets and Wilfredo Manrique, also of Station 43, arrived next to provide advanced medical care. The Paramedics provided intravenous medication, inserted a breathing tube and used a cardiac monitor to provide additional shocks until his heartbeat was restored. With the assistance of Lieutenant William O’Neill of Station 58, Mr. Chau was transported to Coney Island Hospital. The teamwork of all members who responded that morning has provided Mr. Chau with a second chance.
Michael McClenan, 56, collapsed in a Brooklyn parking lot in the morning of August 22, 2015. Good Samaritans witnessed his collapse, called 911 and attempted to start CPR. When Paramedics Liana White and Diana Reyes of Station 59 arrived, they discovered Mr. McClenan on the ground in cardiac arrest. Using a cardiac monitor, they found he was in a lethal cardiac rhythm and shocked him in attempt to restore his heartbeat to normal. The Paramedics continued advanced life support measures, inserting a breathing tube to assist his respirations and administered intravenous medications. Emergency Medical Technicians Richard Wilson Jr. and Malathia Mobley, and Lieutenant Angela Jones of Station 39 arrived to assist with patient care. Mr. McClenan was transported to Brookdale Hospital to continue his treatment. FDNY members who responded that day provided Mr. McClenan with the outstanding pre-hospital care that is a hallmark of the Department and gave him a second chance.
Donna Grado, 52, was found in bed, not breathing, by her husband in the early morning hours of July 6, 2015. Her husband began CPR and called 911. Emergency Medical Technicians Timothy Galietta and Ashton Jones from Staten Island University Hospital North arrived and took over CPR from Mr. Grado. The bystander CPR he provided was critical to his wife’s survival. They were soon joined by Paramedics Lauren Broccoli and Skerdi Ymeraj of Station 22 and the members of Engine Company 165; Lieutenant Vincent Lanzante and Firefighters Dominic LaForgia, William O’Brien, James O’Brien, James Collins, and Lawrence Mathe. The Paramedics used a cardiac monitor to deliver multiple shocks that were able to change Mrs. Grado’s heart rhythm from lethal to normal. With the assistance of Lieutenant Jonathan Damato from Station 23, the units on scene transported Mrs. Grado to Staten Island University Hospital. Mrs. Grado is alive today thanks to the quick actions of her husband and the outstanding response by EMTs and Paramedics on Staten Island. Together, they gave her a second chance.
Carol Anne Newsam, 73, had been experiencing chest pains throughout the day on October, 18, 2015. She went to a local medical center for a checkup and collapsed in cardiac arrest as she entered the office. Medical staff onsite began CPR and called 911. Lieutenant Richard Scott and Firefighters Anthony Pino Jr., Dino Bueno, Stephan Kishegyi and Eric Lau from Engine Company 291 arrived within minutes. The Firefighters continued CPR and administered a shock with their automatic external defibrillator. Emergency Medical Technicians Valeria Vera-Tudela and Brian Monk of Station 45 were next on scene, helping Ms. Newsam regain her pulse. Paramedics Richard Guzman and Timothy Taylor, also of Station 45, arrived and continued care by providing intravenous medications and intubating Ms. Newsam to assist with her breathing. With the assistance of Captain Joseph Lomino of Station 49, Ms. Newsam was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where she recovered. Ms. Newsam is alive today thanks to the skills and training of every FDNY member who responded that day, giving her a well-deserved second chance.
Edward Lapre, 53, of the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), was transporting five colleagues in a DSNY van through midtown Manhattan to an American Cancer Society breast cancer awareness program on August 20, 2015 when he lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest. Mr. Lapre’s colleagues, Cheri Marquez, Brianna Marquez, Lisa Whitfield, Sarah Bartlett, and Elizabeth Maldonado could see he was in desperate need of help and sprang into action. They immediately called 911, began CPR and notified two NYPD Officers at a nearby subway station. The Officers responded and assisted with CPR, with one of the officers performing mouth-to-mouth. Paramedics Robert Berrios and James Criscitiello from Station 8 arrived and provided intravenous medication, intubated Mr. Lapre and shocked him five times in an attempt to restore his heartbeat. They were soon joined by EMTs Hye Park and Mathew Engel, and Lieutenant Sean McGrath of Station 7, as well as Lieutenant John Paul Dimen of Station 8. The six FDNY members worked together to continue care of Mr. Lapre and transport him to Bellevue Hospital where he arrived with a return of spontaneous circulation. Members of New York City’s Strongest, Finest and Bravest worked side by side to save Mr. Lapre’s life and give him his second chance.
Theodore Povinelli, 59, a science teacher at St. Raymond’s High School for Boys in the Bronx, was taking part in a fire drill at the school on September 22, 2015 when he collapsed on the sidewalk. A call to 911 summoned Captain Brian Shovlin and Firefighters Angel Arroyo, Michael Torres, Manuel Diaz and Carlos Dacosta of Engine Company 64. The Firefighters found Mr. Povinelli in cardiac arrest and immediately applied an automatic external defibrillator to shock his heart. Paramedics Nyla Page and Christopher Jacobs of Station 3 arrived next to find that Mr. Povinelli’s heartbeat had been restored. They initiated cardiac monitoring and assisted with his breathing. Emergency Medical Technicians Peter Spink and Michael Ferrara of Station 20 and Lieutenant David Karic of Station 3 arrived and assisted with Mr. Povinelli’s transport to Montefiore Medical Center. Mr. Povinelli is alive today because of the outstanding actions by FDNY members that day. Today, he is continuing to enjoy his second chance.