steadfast

O n the evening of November 17, 2007, EMTs Omar Quinones and Joseph Jimenez were called to a routine, non-critical injury for a 40-year-old male, who had fallen in his apartment. What the EMTs didn't realize was that this call would turn out to be anything but routine. When EMTs Quinones and Jimenez arrived at the fifthfloor apartment, they found the family of the patient very upset and clearly shaken. The family stated that their brother had gone up to the roof of the building. Additionally, he was intoxicated. The EMTs immediately called the dispatcher to request that the Police Department respond to the location, 1026 East 180th Street, near Boston Road, in the Bronx. EMTs Quinones and Jimenez made their way to the roof of the six-story building. Once they reached the roof, they encountered a male sitting by the edge of the building in the darkness of night. The EMTs tried to approach the male in an attempt to persuade him away from the edge of the building. He warned the rescuers to stay away from him. Suddenly, the man threw his leg over the rooftop in an attempt to jump. The dispatcher was called a second time to request Police Department assistance. The EMTs knew they had to do something quickly. Simultaneously and without hesitation, both EMTs Quinones and Jimenez leaped toward the male at the edge of the building and wrestled him to the ground. They realized they would have to subdue him until police arrived. The pair safely guided the victim down the stairs of the building and then were met by police officers. Before transporting the man to the nearest hospital, EMTs Quinones and Jimenez assessed the male inside the ambulance. With their quick thinking and brave actions, EMTs Quinones and Jimenez prevented what could have been a tragic event. Without regard for their own safety, the EMTs performed beyond the call of duty. For these reasons, EMTs Omar Quinones and Joseph Jimenez are presented with the Chief James Scullion Medal.--ML