Category: Press Releases

Scott Allan Riola, 29, of Amarillo, Texas, died in the line-of-duty April 28, 2017, when the air ambulance he was aboard crashed shortly after takeoff. The crew was responding to a call to pick up a patient in Clovis, New Mexico.

Scott graduated from C.H. Yoe High School and Tarleton State University with a Bachelors of Animal Science in 2009. In 2011, he decided to become a nurse and graduated from Amarillo College in 2013 with an ADN. In 2015, he obtained his BSN degree online from the University of Texas Arlington.

Scott continued to build his resume to become a flight nurse by obtaining his Emergency Medical Technician certification and working in emergency departments; including NWTHS in Amarillo (2016-2017), Maine Medical Center, Midcoast Hospital in Maine (2014-2016), and Seton Williamson in Round Rock (2013-2014).

Scott married his high school sweetheart, Melissa Limmer, in 2010. Flying for Rico Aviation was his “dream job”, and he quickly earned a reputation as a passionate team player.

Mario Bastidas, 55, died April 1, 2017, after he succumbed to a certified World Trade Center illness he contracted in the line-of-duty.

Mario developed cancer as a result of serving this Nation in response to the rescue and recovery of the thousands of Americans who fell at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, New York on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, after four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States.

Mario served the city of New York for 26 years as a paramedic at the Brooklyn’s Battalion 31 and then as a Lieutenant Paramedic for the New York City Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Command at Brooklyn’s Battalion 58

He was not only a hero to his community and a true American Hero, but also a family man.

Yadira Arroyo, 44, long-time resident of the Bronx, New York City, New York, died in the line-of-duty on March 16, 2017, while responding to a medical call.

Yadira and her partner, Monique Williams, received a report that someone was clinging to the rear of their ambulance. When she and her partner exited the vehicle to inspect the report, the individual jumped off and commandeered the vehicle. He then drove the vehicle in reverse and struck Yadira and her partner, fatally injuring Yadira.

Yadira was a 14-year veteran of the FDNY. She was beloved by her coworkers and her legacy lives on with those who looked to her as a matriarch of Station 26, also known as the Tin House.

Yadira’s ultimate sacrifice inspired Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics across the country to join forces in raising funds for the family she left behind and awareness for the dangers of the job. Yadira’s strength and impact lives on in her mother, Leida Rosado; her brother, Joel Rosado; and five sons, Kenneth, Jose, Isaiah, Edgar and Justin.

Gregory Wentzel, 51, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, died March 7, 2017, from a cardiac event a few hours after working a cardiac arrest in the line-of-duty.

Greg was a long time public servant with roots in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Hailing from a close-knit community with an enormous family creating a web of support, he could only have been poised for success.

Greg became an Eagle Scout with Troop 11 of the Boy Scouts of America. After graduating from Lebanon Catholic High School in 1985, Greg became a paramedic at the University of Kansas.

In 1986, Greg became one of the first paramedics serving Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

He served in multiple areas including First Aid and Safety Patrol in Lebanon as well as an agency in San Diego, California.

Greg was not just known for his service in Emergency Medical Services. He was both a supportive family man and avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, camp, hike and bike with his family. He was also a skilled gardener and woodworker. He and his wife, Jen, were known in their community for rescuing huskies.

As a lifelong public servant, Greg will be sorely missed both in Lebanon and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Michael “Mike” Collums, 54, died in the line-of-duty on February 21, 2017, after his ambulance was involved in a head-on collision with an 18-wheel semi-truck in Van Vleet, Mississippi.

Collums had served the EMS Community for more than 22 years. He also worked as the Safety Coordinator and in accounts receivable for Orman’s Welding in West Point. He was a member of Vibrant Church in Columbus, Mississippi.

His two greatest passions in life were his grandsons and his work in Emergency Medical Services.

The following is a live recording of the 2018 National EMS Memorial Service that took place at National Habor, Maryland on May 19, 2018.

Rose Scott died February 15, 2017, after she succumbed to a certified World Trade Center illness she sustained in the line-of-duty.

Rose developed cancer as a result of serving this Nation in response to the rescue and recovery of the thousands of Americans who fell at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, New York, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, after four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States.

Rose was a new Emergency Medical Technician on the morning of Sept 11, 2001, and retired years later due to the World Trade Center illness.

Rose was known for her strength, sense of humor and her helpfulness.

Edith Elida Torres, 46, of Brooklyn, New York City, New York, died February 8, 2017, after she succumbed to a certified World Trade Center illness she sustained in the line-of-duty.

Edith developed cancer as a result of serving this Nation in response to the rescue and recovery of the thousands of Americans who fell at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, New York, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, after four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States.

On September 11, 2001, FDNY Lieutenant Paramedic Edith Torres was off duty but answered the call when the tragedy unfolded at The World Trade Center. She responded from home having been off that day only to find her partner, Carlos Lillo, had perished in the collapse of the towers. Lieutenant Torres worked tirelessly during the rescue and recovery during the months to follow.

Edith had been with FDNY since 1993.

Not only was Edith a skilled paramedic but she held a Masters of Nursing degree.

Frank Haffner was 87 years old and died on June 8, 2015, of an apparent heart attack after responding to several emergency calls with the First Aid Squad.

He was a resident of Hackettstown and had served as a member of the Squad since 2007.

Frank was the third-generation owner of Hafner Labs, Inc., Stanhope, NJ. He was one of the founding members of the Allamuchy No. 91 Fire Department and served there for 32 years.

Frank served as the Association Treasurer and Fire Chief from 2002-2003, as the Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management from 2005-2013, and then as the Assistant Coordinator until his death.

Frank lived a long life of devoted public service and enjoyed it.

David J. Blausen, 32, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, died in the line-of-duty August 5, 1971, from burn injuries sustained from an oxygen explosion July 5, 1971, while he was driving an ambulance with the Wilkins-Churchill Ambulance Service.

The ambulance that David was driving was having issues with its oxygen system. He stopped at the Churchill Borough Building to collect a portable oxygen tank to continue emergency medical efforts during transport to West Penn Hospital.

David attempted to get the oxygen system to work in the driver’s compartment. There was an explosion and subsequent fire causing the ambulance to crash.

David became trapped by his melted seatbelt buckle. The fire burned through the seat belt and he was able to escape. He was transported to West Pennsylvania’s Burn Unit. It was there he succumbed to his injuries a month later.