On Tuesday, September 26th, BP Oddo joined with Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) to urge Staten Island businesses and organizations to take part in the hospital’s “Stop the Bleed” training program. This free program, available to Staten Island businesses and organizations, aims to train as many people as possible in the community in bleeding control, essentially increasing the pool of first responders for bleeding emergencies. SIUH trained members of the Borough President’s staff on how to use hands, dressings, and tourniquets to stop bleeds and save lives in case of an emergency situation.

Trainings are usually 60-90 minutes, and SIUH will conduct the bleeding control training program with any agency/organization where there is potential for large amounts of casualties free of charge in order to protect the resident of Staten Island.
 
At the training, BP Oddo also announced that he has allocated funding for the purchase of 65 trauma first aid kits to be supplied to trainees. He is also in discussions with Council Member Matteo about possible legislation requiring these kits in certain public places.

“This is very important work SIUH is doing,” said BP Oddo. “It is unfortunate that such training is necessary, but we know that it is in today’s world.  Just as we did with AEDs, we need to get these kits into the hands of New Yorkers and get them trained.”  

“We're totally behind the effort to train people to be first responders,” noted Dr. Michael Bernstein, Chair of Surgery at SIUH. “We're here to provide support to the community and put our resources behind any members of the community who are willing to learn these crucial lifesaving skills.”
 
To get more information or to sign up for upcoming trauma training, call the Trauma Division at SIUH at 718-226-1267 or visit bleedingcontrol.org. 

On Tuesday, June 20th, BP Oddo joined with representatives of Staten Island University Hospital to unveil five new state-of-the-art ambulances he helped fund. These ambulances function as part of the 911 system, allowing EMTs and Paramedics to respond quickly to dire situations.

The new ambulances run on regular gasoline instead of diesel, which is more environmentally friendly and helps reduce engine noise. The ambulance is equipped with brand new power-load stability, making the job easier for the emergency professionals and giving more comfort to the patients while they are being loaded to the vehicle.

"Last year, Staten Islanders reached out to emergency medical professionals for help 50,000 times,” said BP Oddo, noting that Staten Island is the only borough to hold a ceremony that honors EMS workers. “We want to give these professionals all the tools they need to help, and when we allocate tax dollars, we want it to go to the front line. These ambulances are five concrete examples of accomplishing that."
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Along with BP Oddo, the ambulances were funded by former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Borough President James Molinaro and Council Member Debi Rose. The ambulances will officially join the fleet at the end of June.

On Monday, May 22nd, Borough President James S. Oddo recognized the important and heroic works of the Emergency Medical Services community with a special ceremony in their honor during National EMS Week at the Excelsior Grand.
 
The 25th Annual Emergency Services Recognition Ceremony honored several EMTs, paramedics, instructors and students in the emergency services community. This event is unique to Staten Island.
 
"The EMS community is there for our community in times of need,” noted BP Oddo. “I want to thank you for being there for us when life is on the line. We get to celebrate you this week, but every day, there are Staten Islanders who genuinely appreciate you.”
 
2017 EMS AWARD WINNERS:

Emergency Medical Technician of the Year Awards
Melissa O’Brien – FDNY, Station 22
Joseph Parisi – FDNY, Station 23
Jake Perlman – Hatzolah of Staten Island
Havel Pearlman – Hatzolah of Staten Island
Hunter Dawkins – North Shore Rescue Squad
Samantha DiSilvestro – Primary Care Ambulance
Shannon Wilkey – Priority One Ambulance
Issa Mohsen – Richmond County Ambulance
Svetlana Smirichinskaya – Richmond County Ambulance
CarrieAnn Dixon – Richmond University Medical Center
Edgardo Gutierrez – Richmond University Medical Center
Joseph Cosentino – Northwell Health (SIUH)
Ashley Gilas – Northwell Health (SIUH)
Jacqueline Mauro – Volunteer Heart Ambulance
Lauren Lefkowitz – Volunteer Heart Ambulance
 
Paramedic of the Year Awards
Ryan Zatoren – FDNY, Station 22
John Paul Mansour – FDNY, Station 23
Troy Salerno – Primary Care Ambulance
Jared Johnson – Priority One Ambulance
Menachem Levitansky – Richmond County Ambulance
David Palacios – Richmond County Ambulance
Robert Bonome – Richmond University Medical Center
James Ferravecchio – Richmond University Medical Center
Antonio Jimenez – Northwell Health (SIUH)
Nicole Memoli – Northwell Health (SIUH)
 
Frank W. Geib Memorial EMT Student of the Year Award
Danielle Farley – Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center
Nicole Druda – Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue
 
EMT Instructor of the Year Award
William G. McDonald, EMTP – Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center
Daron Roth – Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue