Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
2014
Honoree
Freddie Rosario
Title
EMT-D
Agency
Fire Department of New York - Bureau of EMS
Agency City
Brooklyn
Agency State
New York
Last Call
6/10/2010
Cause of Death
9/11 Illness
Biography
Freddie joined the New York City Emergency Medical Service, later known as the Fire Department of the City of New York EMS in July 1994 and spent much of his career working in the streets and neighborhoods of Manhattan. He was a well-respected EMT and was a kind and gentle person who made everyone around him feel safe and comfortable. He really loved being an EMT and was happy to work for the FDNY. On September 11, 2001 he was assigned to EMS station 4, which is in the shadows of the World Trade Center. As the first plane struck the tower, his unit was one of the first ones to arrive. He and his partner did what they could do to assist amongst the carnage, doing his best to avoid the falling debris and the bodies of helpless trapped victims jumping to their death from the floors above. Freddie narrowly escaped death as the first and then the second tower fell upon the rescuers and civilians they were trying to save. Freddie continued to work many long hours down at the site searching for remains of his coworkers and the victims of the attack. As the years went on, Freddie developed respiratory problems and the dreaded "World Trade Center Cough." Freddie worked in the field until he was no longer physically able to do so. He was assigned to Emergency Medical Dispatch and other light duty positions. Freddie succumbed to his illness on June 10, 2010.