EMT Mohammad Assad
Station 31, Haz-Tac Battalion
1. Please introduce yourself—your name, your title and the year you joined the FDNY.
My name is Mohammad Assad, and I’ve been an EMT for the FDNY since 2023.
2. Where are you currently assigned, and what are your main responsibilities?
I am currently assigned at Station 31, where I work in a Haz-Tac unit. Not only do I provide essential emergency care and safely transport patients to the hospital, but I am also equipped to care for patients who were exposed to hazardous materials.
3. What inspired you to choose a life of public service with the FDNY?
Growing up in Brooklyn, I was always fascinated by emergency vehicles rushing to calls with lights and sirens. The adrenaline and the idea of being there for someone in need was something I always wanted to be a part of.
4. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on the job?
My most memorable and proudest moment was responding to a woman in labor early one morning. When we arrived, she was holding one newborn and said she was still having contractions with the twin. My partner cared for the first baby while I delivered the twin, who was pale and not breathing properly. Despite the stress, my training took over, and we provided care until the baby started breathing normally, regained color and cried. That sound of the baby crying was pure relief. We then safely transported the mother and her healthy twin boys to the hospital.
5. When you hear the words “We Are FDNY,” what does that mean to you?
The FDNY means family to me. It’s the people who are there for each other no matter what—the teamwork, the trust and knowing someone has always got your back. It’s not just a job or a department; it’s a family built on a shared purpose.
6. What would you say is your “superpower”—a strength or skill you bring to your work?
I would say my strength is the ability to remain calm and relaxed in stressful situations where there is no room to panic, because when you panic, mistakes are made.
7. How does your role help advance the FDNY’s mission of public safety?
As an EMT, I am in a very active and hands-on position that supports the FDNY mission to keep New Yorkers safe. Very often, my partner and I are the first ones there for someone experiencing the worst day of their life. It is my responsibility to remain calm, provide care and make sure they get the help they need. Every emergency that we respond to helps the FDNY protect lives and look out for our community.