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Today marks the start of EMS Week 2020, an annual week-long initiative to promote public safety among all New Yorkers and celebrate the life-saving efforts of more than 4,400 members of the FDNY’s Emergency Medical Service. Take a few minutes today to learn about three of these heroic members who are also graduates of the FDNY Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety.
Class of 2013 Alumnus Derron Bucknor
“We’re doing our best to stay healthy and safe one call at a time and we’re encouraging other members to do the same as we work together to get through this tough situation. I feel honored that this week is about celebrating us and our efforts to use our training to help our patients during all of these emergencies,” said Bucknor, who is serving on the front lines of the city’s response to COVID-19.
Bucknor is also a U.S. Navy reservist and he noted that public service has been important to him since he was a teenager.
“My senior year in high school I decided I wanted to become an EMT and since then I’ve been building my knowledge about the medical field as much as I can. It’s inspiring to learn how much we can help others in this field and really make a difference.”
Class of 2011 Alumna Christabelle Chin
“We’re working out here every day to help our patients in their time of need and we lean on each other a lot to get through all of this and stay safe. I think we’re all more appreciative of the camaraderie that we have here now too because we’re checking on each other all the time to make sure we’re all doing OK while we’re out here helping the city,” said Chin, who is serving on the front lines of the city’s response to COVID-19. “I think working through this pandemic has really solidified why I love this job because just making someone’s day better by helping them or just easing their mind so they can stay calm while we provide the patient care they need so they can get better makes it all worth it. We’re helping the community and that’s important.”
Chin also dedicates her time to help the students at the high school as they continue through a historical academic year with virtual education.
“Every chance that we get each week, we’re uplifting our students to encourage them to keep going and finish up the school year strong,” she added. “We really do our best to stay in communication with them and keep them motivated, especially the seniors because this is their final year of high school and we want them to always know that we’re here to support them.”
Class of 2012 Alumnus EMT Anthony Gadison
“Our patients are very scared and I feel for them because they are going through so much right now, but we’re out here doing our job and helping them get the medical attention they need. We always tell the public we’re here to help them no matter what and I think that’s important, especially in times like this,” said Gadison, who is serving on the front lines of the city’s response to COVID-19. “We’re proud to be working here in EMS and this week is really a time where we can all come together as EMS members and show appreciation for each other and our important work in the city.
Gadison is also working with students at the high school as they continue their unprecedented school year with remote learning.
“We’re using Google Meet to continue classes with our students and we’re still supporting them as much as we can to help them finish the school year successfully,” he added. “Our students have been working hard all year and we’re proud of them.”
