​On Monday, May 21st, 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 26th Annual Emergency Services Recognition Ceremony honored several EMTs, paramedics, instructors and students in the emergency services community. Speakers included BP Oddo, FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard, and Dr. Glenn Asaeda, Chief Medical Director, FDNY. This event is unique to Staten Island.
 
“I want to thank the EMS community for all you do,” said BP Oddo. “You are there for us when our life is on the line. I am thankful we get to celebrate you this week, but know your efforts are appreciated every day.”
 
A full list of winners is below:
 
Emergency Medical Technician of the Year Awards
Daniel Fennell – FDNY, Station 22
Anthony Mauro – FDNY, Station 23
Willard Wright – North Shore Rescue Squad
John Jelcic – Primary Care Ambulance
Anthony Arcello – Priority One Ambulance
Stephanie Velez – Priority One Ambulance
Lindita Karpuzi – Richmond County Ambulance
Louis Raffone – Richmond University Medical Center
Manuel Rodriguez – Richmond University Medical Center
Edgar Chico – Northwell Health (SIUH)
Susan Mahony – Northwell Health (SIUH)
John Giakas – Volunteer Heart Ambulance
Michael Trollo – Volunteer Heart Ambulance
 
Paramedic of the Year Awards
Ludmila Muller – FDNY, Station 22
Latisha Miller – FDNY, Station 23
Michael A. Pombo – Primary Care Ambulance
Dennis Kalogeropoulos – Priority One Ambulance
Shawn Langleiben – Richmond County Ambulance
Jeffrey Brown – Richmond University Medical Center
Moshe Stein – Richmond University Medical Center
Robert Garzone – Northwell Health (SIUH)
William Negron – Northwell Health (SIUH)
 
Frank W. Geib Memorial EMT Student of the Year Award
Eric Berger – Staten Island Emergency Medical Training
Brandon Perez – Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue
 
EMT Instructor of the Year Award
Thomas McCarthy – Staten Island Emergency Medical Training
Ryan Moccia – Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue

On Sunday, October 1st, hundreds gathered at the 9/11 First Responders Memorial on the St. George Promenade to dedicate the memorial, which honors the sacrifices made by Staten Island’s First Responders who died as a result of their brave service on—and in the aftermath of—9/11.
 
BP Oddo and Mayor de Blasio spoke about the importance of getting the names of those we’ve lost inscribed on the memorial. The ceremony featured touching musical performances by Arlette Roxburgh as well as tribute readings.
 
“I made a promise to the families that 9/11/2016 would be the last anniversary that names of those lost as a result of their work on 9/11 and its aftermath would be absent from the Memorial dedicated to their memory. I am glad these names are finally in their rightful place on the monument,” said BP Oddo. “These are heroes, and these are people who live life the way we should. These are people who were selfless. Now more than ever, in this time of division, we need to remember their stories. Their lives should be remembered, and their stories should be told."
 
"We will not forget them, and we will not forget their families as they continue to bear the pain that unites us all, remembering what they gave, the good they were, and the example they are still to all of us," de Blasio said.
 
We thank all those who made the ceremony special, including NYCEDC, FDNY, NYPD, DSNY, Fred Ariemma of Ariemma’s Garden Center, Anthony Campitiello of Alfonso’s Pastry Shoppe, Sal Sottile of Sottile Security International Inc., and the NY Wheel.