Borough President Vito Fossella honors EMS workers at 28th Annual Recognition Breakfast

Gabrielle Godwin and Christopher Guadalupe of Volunteer Heart Ambulance receive awards at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella, far right. FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore is at far left. (Courtesy BP Office)
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Borough President Vito J. Fossella recognized the important and heroic work of the Emergency Medical Services community on May 16 with a special ceremony to kick off National EMS Week at LiGreci’s Staaten.

The 28th Annual Emergency Services Recognition Ceremony honored several EMTs, paramedics, instructors and students in the emergency services community. This event is unique to Staten Island.

This year’s theme is “Rising to the Challenge” and marks the 47th annual celebration of National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities.

“We are so grateful to continue this tradition of honoring our first responders in the EMS community and getting the chance to recognize you this week,” said BP Fossella. “You are true heroes of Staten Island and are always there when we need help. Thank you for all that you do.”

FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, the first-ever woman Bureau Chief, was in attendance, and gave a moving speech to the crowd, thanking 4,100 EMTs, paramedics, EMS officers, and civilian employees in the EMS Bureau, noting they have all gone above and beyond their call of duty throughout the COVID pandemic. Chief Bonsignore was appointed Chief in 2019, months before the pandemic took grip of NYC and the world.

FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore delivers a moving speech to those in attendance at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough PResident Vito Fossella. (Courtesy BP Office)

AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THE FOLLOWING HONOREES:

Emergency Medical Technician of the Year Awards

Timothy Rogers – FDNY, Station 22

Giovani Arsenault – FDNY, Station 23

Vincent Franchi – North Shore Rescue Squad

Brianna Aviles– North Shore Rescue Squad

Amanda Stimus – Priority One Ambulance

Yadiel O’Farrill – Priority One Ambulance

Dominique Perez – Primary Care Ambulance

Peter Matfiak – Richmond University Medical Center

Dawn Giacobbe – Richmond University Medical Center

Christopher Flynn – Northwell Health (SIUH)

William Spinelli – Northwell Health (SIUH)

Gabrielle Godwin – Volunteer Heart Ambulance

Christopher Guadalupe – Volunteer Heart Ambulance

Moses Friedman – Hatzolah of Staten Island

Evan Weiss – Hatzolah of Staten Island

Borough President Vito Fossella addresses the crowd. (Courtesy BP Office)

AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THE FOLLOWING HONOREES:

Paramedic of the Year Awards

Brian Frayne – FDNY, Station 22

Ervin Sobiev – FDNY, Station 23

Christopher Balzano – Richmond University Medical Center

Ariel Kaplunovskiy – Richmond University Medical Center

Peter Epshteyn – Northwell Health (SIUH)

Samantha Disilvestro – Northwell Health (SIUH)

Kenny Martinez – Primary Care Ambulance

Dr. Glen Asaeda, FDNY EMS chief medical director, addresses the crowd. (Courtesy BP Office)

AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THE FOLLOWING HONOREES:

Frank W. Geib Memorial EMT Student of the Year Award

Dana Gustafson– Staten Island Emergency Medical Training

Michael Connolly - Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue

EMT Instructor of the Year Award

Florence Kelleher – Staten Island Emergency Medical Training

Steven O’Brady – Training Institute for Medical Emergencies and Rescue

Chief Lillian Bonsignore and Borough President Vito Fossella stand with Dana Gustafson from Staten Island Emergency Medical Training who was presented the Frank W. Geib Memorial EMT Student of the Year Award. Florence Kelleher of Staten Island Emergency Medical Training (right of BP Fossella) was presented the EMT Instructor of the Year Award.
Dr. Daniel Messina, President and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center, left, Miss Staten Island 2022 Tatiana Mroczek, who sang the National Anthem at the breakfast, and BP Vito Fossella. (Courtesy BP Office)
William Amaniera, Administrative Director for EMS at Richmond University Hospital was the Master of Ceremonies at the 28th Annual Emergency Medical Services Recognition Ceremony.
Scene at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella at LiGreci's Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy BP Office)
Invocation led by Rabbi Feinstein of Northwell Health during the 28th Annual Emergency Medical Services Recognition Ceremony at LiGreci's Staaten, May 16th, 2022.
Scene at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella at LiGreci's Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy BP Office)
Scene at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella at LiGreci's Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy BP Office)
Scene at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella at LiGreci's Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy BP Office)
Scene at the 28th Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella. (Courtesy BP Office)
Scene from the Annual EMS Recognition Breakfast hosted by Borough President Vito Fossella. (Courtesy BP Office)

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