MyFDNY News: June 2026

MyFDNY NEWS

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN BONSIGNORE UNVEILS NEW MEMORIAL WALL TO HONOR MEMBERS LOST TO WORLD TRADE CENTERRELATED ILLNESSES

The FDNY unveiled a new World Trade Center Retired Responders Memorial Wall with dedication ceremonies at its headquarters in Brooklyn. The 154 members honored were retired at the time of the September 11th attacks but responded to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts at the site. All later died of WTC-related illnesses.

“This moment, this place, at this time—we are all experiencing something together. We have exactly the same thing in common. We are one people. We are the family of FDNY,” Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “It’s my privilege to welcome you home today.”

The new memorial wall is positioned directly across from the WTC Memo-

JUNE 2026

FIRE COMMISSIONER Lillian Bonsignore FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Daniel Flynn

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT John M. Esposito

FDNY ACKNOWLEDGES MERITORIOUS ACTS AT 157TH MEDAL DAY

The FDNY held its 157th Medal Day Ceremony on June 3 at City Hall Plaza in Manhattan, honoring the lifesaving actions by its members during incidents throughout the previous calendar year. The ceremony, which dates back to 1869, is one of the Department’s most time-honored traditions.

“Today’s medals represent far more than much-deserved recognition. They are a symbol of 8.5 million New Yorkers' gratitude,” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mam-

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It was an honor to join members of the FDNY family at the 87th Annual Fire Bell Club Dinner, a longstanding tradition that celebrates the dedication, sacrifice and service of New York City’s Bravest and Best.

Follow FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore on

The number of names added to the Department’s new World Trade Center

Retired Responders

Memorial Mall at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn.

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rial Wall, which honors members lost to WTC-related illnesses who were on active duty at the time of the attacks.

“We are pleased to dedicate this wall because we know it more completely tells the story of September 11th,” Chief of Department John Esposito said. “I know and I remember the impact that our retired members had in the response and recovery and rebuilding after that terrible day.”

“In the safe confines of our World Trade Center Health Program, they fought through the treatments, the surgeries, transplants, pain, suffering and the uncertainty of whether they would see the next day,” added Chief Medical Officer David Prezant.

As the toll from WTC-related illnesses continues to rise, the wall has space for additional names.

To accommodate the large numbers of families and friends who paid their respects, the names of members were added over three days at five different plaque dedications: June 9 for Manhattan and the Bronx responders, June 10 for Staten Island and Brooklyn responders and June 11 for Queens responders. Together, the memorial walls at FDNY headquarters honor the memory of those who bravely served at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 Word Trade Center.

For more and to watch each ceremony, scan the QR code. n

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The FDNY unveils a new World Trade Center Retired Responders Memorial Wall

FDNY ACKNOWLEDGES MERITORIOUS ACTS AT 157TH MEDAL DAY

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dani said. “So, on behalf of every New Yorker, those whose homes you've saved, whose families you kept whole and those who sleep soundly at night knowing that if they ever needed you, you’d be there.”

“In the FDNY, there is never a dull moment. Responding to fires and medical emergencies is what we do every single day, every single tour,”

Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “When the call comes in, we head out. No matter what time, no matter what location. No matter what threat looms ahead. That’s why days like today are so incredible. Because we take a moment to take stock of the truly hair-raising, remarkable and heroic responses that we know, and you know, you will always remember for the rest of your career.”

“Each medal represents a moment where our members stepped up to the plate. And although they would probably say this is all part of the job, we really know it’s a lot

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more than that,” said Chief of Department John Esposito.

The 2026 top medal recipients for incidents that occurred in 2025 were given to the following FDNY members:

Lieutenant Patrick T. Donlon of Engine Company 75 was honored with the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal and NYS Honorary Fire Chiefs Association Medal—the top fire operations medal—for locating and removing an unconscious victim from a burning building in the Bronx.

Paramedic Naytasha Doyle and now-Probationary Firefighter Paul Saladis III, who were previously partners at Station 44, were honored with the Christopher J. Prescott Medal— the top EMS operations medal—for providing life-saving treatment to a critically injured victim in Brooklyn.

Read through the 2026 FDNY Medal Day Book for a full list of this year’s medal recipients, as well as the stories that detail their bravery, by scanning the QR code on Page 1. n

REUNITING CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS WITH THEIR RESCUERS, THE FDNY HOLDS ITS 30TH SECOND

The FDNY held its 30th Second Chance Ceremony on May 20 at Nicotra’s Ballroom on Staten Island, reuniting cardiac arrest patients with the first responders who helped save their lives.

“That moment when we put our hands on someone’s chest—it’s not just medicine that’s happening. It’s hope. It’s giving that person every single thing that we have down to our core. That’s the moment we know it’s worth it,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.

The survivors included an FDNY lieutenant at the Fire Academy, a young basketball player who experienced cardiac arrest during a game,and a runner who collapsed while training.

Chief of Department John Esposito said: “To our rescuers, remember today, and remember these people. They were given a second chance because of your actions. Because of what you did.”

The Department also honored the lifesaving rescue that inspired this decades-long tradition: Paramedics Kenn Honig and Carl Tramontana and the son of the patient they saved, Matt Pintchik. Since that day, the Pintchik family has advocated for EMS professionals.

“Thank you from our family, for all of the families celebrating their second chances today,” Matt Pintchik said.

Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said: “Second Chance represents teamwork. It represents persistence. It represents skill, compassion, professionalism under pressure and—most importantly—it represents hope.” n

(1) The Empire State Building was lit up in yellow, white and blue with a red siren in the mast to officially kick off EMS Week 2026 and to honor the hard-working emergency medical service professionals in New York City and across the country. (2) FDNY EMTs and paramedics took on various skill challenges and tested their strength in the Strongperson competition at the 24th Annual FDNY EMS Week Competition on May 17 at the EMS Academy. Family and friends were on hand to cheer the members along. (3) On May 28, the FDNY Phoenix Society hosted an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at Department headquarters, bringing members and guests together to recognize and honor AAPI culture and traditions. (4) The FDNY was proud to celebrate its inaugural Caribbean American Heritage Month event on June 4 at Department headquarters. The event was hosted by the FDNY Caribbean Society. (5) May 30 marked the 24th anniversary of the formal end of the rescue, recovery and relief efforts at Ground Zero. The FDNY joined fellow first responders, families and loved ones of those lost at the 9/11 Memorial Glade to honor the sacrifice of all who responded in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001. (6) On June 6, fans from around the world gathered at FDNY Ladder 8 in Tribeca to celebrate Ghostbusters Day. n

MEET LIEUTENANT FRED CARLSON, ROBOTICS

1. Please introduce yourself—your name, your ti tle and the year you joined the FDNY.

My name is Fred Carlson. I serve as a lieutenant and UAS pilot of robotics, having joined the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in 2006 as part of Class 4.

2. Where are you currently assigned, and what are your main responsibilities?

I am presently assigned as the assistant administrator of the FDNY Robotics Program, where I am responsible for overseeing operations and logistics for Robotics and its response unit, the Command Tactical Unit. When necessary, I also cover shifts in the Command Tactical Unit, which responds to significant fires and incidents to provide situational awareness to the incident commander. As an officer within this unit, I analyze data and disseminate it at the command post.

3. What inspired you to choose a life of public service with the FDNY?

My involvement in public service has been a lifelong pursuit. The loss of close friends during the events of September 11, 2001, inspired me to take the entrance examination in 2002.

4. Can you share one of your most memorable moments on the job?

One of the most significant moments in my career involved assisting in the rescue of a pregnant woman from an apartment fire in the Briarwood section of Queens. Both the mother and her child survived, and they visited the firehouse several weeks later.

5. When you hear the words “We Are FDNY,” what does that mean to you?

The phrase embodies the family-like atmosphere of the Department and underscores the principle that no individual member is greater than the whole of the Department.

6. What would you say is your “superpower”—a strength or skill you bring to your work?

I attribute my background in television production and my passion for aviation as key factors that positioned me as a suitable candidate for the emerging Drone Program in 2017. My ability to comprehend, interpret and implement the rapidly evolving realm of drone technology and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations greatly enhances the efficacy of the Command Tactical Unit.

7. How does your role help advance the FDNY’s mission of public safety?

My role entails remaining informed and continuously exploring innovative methods for the Department to adopt and utilize advanced technology on the ground as well as in post-incident safety investigations. This effort aims to enhance situational awareness and implement safety measures that support and protect our members during operations as well as learn and train to prevent tragedies. n

FDNY COMMISSIONER LILLIAN BONSIGNORE SWEARS IN FIRE OFFICERS AT CEREMONY IN QUEENS

The FDNY held a promotion ceremony for members of fire operations on May 27 at St. John’s University’s Carnesecca Arena in Queens. Members were promoted to the ranks of Deputy Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Marine Wiper and Marine Pilot. The newly promoted members will be assigned to units throughout New York City. Watch the promotion ceremony and check out a photo gallery by scanning the QR code. n

podcast highlights

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The FDNY gathered May 21 to remember the Department's members who made the Supreme Sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony included the reading of names of FDNY members who have died while on active military duty. In addition, to recognize 25 years since September 11, 2001, the names of the FDNY military veterans who died in the line of duty that day were also read. The annual ceremony takes place at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island in coordination with VFW Post 12033. The VFW Post is named after fallen firefighter and Staff Sergeant Christian Engeldrum, who served in the Army National Guard. He died on Nov. 29, 2004, when a roadside bomb exploded near the convoy he was traveling in. n