The voice of FDNY EMT Monique Williams as she yells for help when her partner EMT Yadira Arroyo was killed by Jose Gonzalez on March 16th, 2017 in the Bronx.
Since 2017 the amount of assaults against FDNY First Responders has more almost tippled.
This trend of assaults has been rapidly increasing over the last few years. The earliest data that was available, showed that in 2014 there was only 78 assaults on FDNY First Responders. The following year in 2015 a new law change made the penalty for assaulting and EMT or Paramedic, 7 years in prison. However, the data has shown that assaults continue to increase each year with 386 assaults reported last year (2021).
The attacks on our First Responders continues to climb, the level of violence has resulted in one EMT being killed by her own vehicle, FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo and EMS Captain Alison Russo Stabbed to death. The one group of responders, who soul purpose is to help others in their time of need have now become targets. Frank Fucco at the funeral of his daughter Captain Alison Russo said that following "That man murdered my daughter and she would be the first one to come to his aide if he ever needed help". This is one of the most accurate statements that I have heard, when talking about the of our First Responders.
Unlike law enforcement, the EMT's and Paramedics of the New York City Fire Department sole purpose is to help others in a time of need.
I would hope that the politicians increase the penalties of attacking a First Responder and hold the attackers accountable for their actions. The rights of the attacker should not override the rights of the victims, which in these incident out the First Responders.
When I think of our First Responders being attacked, I picture the medics in World War 2 with their Red Cross as a sign to the enemy that they were off limits. The Geneva Convention says "Medical … personnel shall be respected and protected and shall be granted all available help for the performance of their duties". This statement should hold true here in NYC, just like it does on the battlefields.
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