Fire Commissioner Nigro Presides over Paramedics Promotion Ceremony

June 27, 2018

On Wednesday, June 27th Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro presided over the promotion ceremony of 46 FDNY Paramedics in Brooklyn.

“You will be there responding to the most difficult medical calls, providing a high-level of compassion and care to those in great pain. As FDNY Paramedics, you are charged with always answering those calls for help, whatever they may be,” said Fire Commissioner Nigro. “As FDNY Paramedics, each of you is absolutely essential to our success, and you represent the very best this city has to offer.”

Of the promoted members, three are military veterans representing branches from the U.S. Armed Forces. Several foreign languages are spoken by this diverse group, including: Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Polish, Punjabi, and Spanish.

Chief of Department James E. Leonard congratulated the promoted members and said “millions of New Yorkers, and the tens of millions more people who come here for work and travel will be counting on you to be there for them when they call 911. That’s a huge responsibility you’re taking on, that shows tremendous dedication – and that’s what this Department is all about.”

Paramedic and member of the US Air Force, Fernando Acosta, Station 3, credits his experience in the military in preparing him to be a paramedic. “I have been in the military for about six years now and I feel that my experience there has helped prepare me for the kind of things that I see on the streets of New York City,” said Paramedic Acosta. “This was a very rewarding experience and I am happy that I can now do more for my patients. I looked up to Paramedics before and now I am glad I can be the person others look up to.”

Paramedic Sarbh Singh was inspired train to be a paramedic by a previous experience with the FDNY. “My father had a heart attack in 2006. FDNY Paramedics came to my house and saved my Father’s life. At that moment I knew that if I wanted to keep my parents safe, I had to be just like them. I dedicated my time, energy, and prioritized my life in order to get through this training. That is what you do when you want to make this your career,” said Singh, who was also named one of the Valedictorians of his class.

The Paramedics will be assigned to units throughout the city.

For photos of the promotion ceremony, click here.