Public Employee Press

Union mourns Yadira Arroyo


By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Condolences from all over the country poured in to the family and colleagues of EMS worker Yadira Arroyo who was killed in the line of duty.

The 14-year veteran and her partner Monique Williams were responding to an emergency in the Bronx, when a man hopped on to the back of their FDNY ambulance. They attempted to confront him, but he pushed them aside and forced his way behind the wheel of the ambulance and ran over Arroyo.

Arroyo was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center where she died in the evening March 16. Williams was treated for minor injuries and for shock.

"EMT Yadira Arroyo was literally a lifesaver," said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido of the fallen Local 2507 member. "She went to work every day knowing that, at a moment's notice, she would be called upon to face the responsibility of saving a person's life."

"We know our EMTs are brave," said Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference that evening. "They do crucial work - they save lives - but they should not be subjected to violence. And yet, that danger always exists for them."

Since 1994, eight emergency medical workers have been killed in the line of duty.

Arroyo and Williams were assigned to Station 26 on Boston Road in the Bronx.

"So many people don't know exactly what we do or what we sacrifice in doing our jobs to help and protect New Yorkers," said Emergency Medical Technician Dane Bath, in a letter she wrote to the Daily News.

What EMTs do is respond to hundreds of daily emergencies, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in all kinds of weather. They assist New Yorkers having seizures, going into cardiac arrest; they come to the aide of victims of domestic violence. EMTs assist the intoxicated and those who have overdosed. They deliver babies. They confront people who are armed with knives, box cutters, guns and baseball bats.

On March 16, Arroyo and Williams responded to an emergency call and had to deal with José Gonzalez. This young man, who took over their ambulance, had been arrested more than a dozen times and had serious mental health issues that required hospitalization. Arroyo, the mother of five children, was working an extra shift. She was run over a short distance from her Bronx home.

"Anytime you wear a uniform and it shows some sort of authority in New York, your life will always be in danger," said Uniformed EMTs & Paramedics Local 2507 President Israel Miranda.

The following evening the New York Rangers honored Arroyo with a moment of silence before their game against the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Hundreds of her colleagues came to pay their respects at the wake and stood at attention in front of the Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home in the Bronx for the viewing before she was finally laid to rest on March 25.

The New York Yankees opened their stadium to the thousands of city residents and people from across the country who came to attend Arroyo's funeral. They provided free parking as well as a repast at the stadium.

Yadira Arroyo is survived by her parents, Leida and Efrain Rosado, brother Joel Rosado, and her five children Justin, José, Edgar, Kenny and her youngest, 7 year-old Isaiah.

District Council 37, Local 2507, Local 3621 the Daily News, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Tunnel to Tower Foundation, have all pledged contributions to help her five children.

To donate to the EMT Yadira Arroyo's Children's Fund, go to the FDNY Foundation website at:
www.fdnyfoundation.org/donate.