FDNY Medal Day 2016

EMT-P Carlos Lillo/
Lt. Ricardo Quinn
Medal
August 15, 2012, 1339 hours,
underpass at
Cooper Avenue/Central Street, Queens
Paramedic Marilyn L. Arroyo
Station 47
Appointed to FDNY as an Emergency Medical Technician on July 12, 2010. Previously
assigned to Station 46. Son-in-law, FF Victor Mercieca, is assigned to
Engine 72. Recipient of the Christopher J. Prescott Medal, Unit of the Month,
multiple pre-hospital saves and a Proclamation from City Hall. Attended Middlesex
College. Resides in Northport, Long Island, with her five children—Gregory
Guerrero, Linda Scifo Mercieca, Anthony Scifo, Jordan Scifo and Victoria Scifo.
Paramedic Jimmy M. Guailacela
Station 17
Appointed to FDNY as an Emergency Medical Technician on January 7, 2008.
Previously assigned to Stations 4, 52 and 46. Recipient of the Christopher J.
Prescott Medal, Unit of the Month in 2011 and 2012, a Proclamation from City
Hall in 2012 and multiple pre-hospital saves. Holds a BA degree in Business
Administration from Berkeley College. Resides in Corona, Queens, with his son,
Francis.
The EMT-P Carlos Lillo-Lt. Ricardo Quinn Medal was created
to honor the bravery of these two men who perished
at the Twin Towers while helping others. Just created, this
medal is bestowed on a recipient of the Christopher J. Prescott
Medal from the prior three years. First to receive this most prestigious
medal are Paramedics Marilyn L. Arroyo and Jimmy M.
Guailacela, who exceeded all expectations when they rescued
three victims from a rapidly submerging vehicle in a flash flood.
Paramedics Arroyo and Guailacela hail from Station 46,
where the motto is, We Do It All. On August 15, 2012, serving
as EMTs, the pair was challenged to live up to those words. A
severe rainstorm had developed and the crew members were dispatched
to a vehicle submerging in water with victims trapped
inside. Then EMTs Arroyo and Guailacela arrived at the Cooper
Avenue underpass and witnessed an event unprecedented in their
careers.
The underpass was flooding with a car trapped in the quickly
rising water. The EMTs could hear screams for help as they saw
a hand waving from the car’s sunroof.
Without any other resources or assistance
on-scene, EMT Guailacela,
an avid swimmer, led the way, with
EMT Arroyo, a poor swimmer, cautiously
following. EMT Guailacela,
in waist-deep water, made his way to
the car, which was now three-quarters
submerged in water, and discovered
three elderly victims.
EMT Arroyo scaled a fence on a
wall close to the vehicle and climbed
over it to the top of the vehicle. EMT
Guailacela removed one victim from
the vehicle and to the shallow end of
A happy reunion as EMTs Jimmy Guailacela and Marilyn Arroyo
pose with the three victims they successfully removed from a nearly
submerged automobile following a flash flood.
Photo by New York Daily News
Fire Department, City of New York • Medal Day 2016
13
the rising waters. EMT Arroyo pulled a second victim from the
sunroof of the vehicle and then passed the person off to EMT
Guailacela. With the flood waters still rapidly rising and the car
now completely submerged, EMT Arroyo determined that she
would have to remove the last victim herself.
While still on the car roof, EMT Arroyo asked the third victim
if she could swim. The reply was a “little.” Although EMT Arroyo
is a poor swimmer, she advised her patient that she would
not let her swim alone; that she would swim out with her. But
before EMT Arroyo attempted to swim with the woman, EMT
Guailacela arrived and quickly grabbed the third victim and safely
removed her.
With the last victim now safely removed, EMT Arroyo attempted
to climb the fence to remove herself from the roof of
the submerged vehicle. However, she felt something pulling her
down into the flood waters. Struggling, she realized that her utility
belt had gotten caught on something. Remaining calm, she
unbuckled the utility belt, freed herself, scaled the fence and wall
and joined the three victims in their
now-safe location.
Despite the danger and challenging
rescues, the EMTs continued
their sworn duties, evaluating all
three individuals who had no physical
complaints, but an abundance of
gratitude for the pair who had “saved
our lives.” For their bravery and dedication
above and beyond the call of
duty, the Department is proud to present
the first EMT-P Carlos Lillo-Lt.
Ricardo Quinn Medal to Paramedic
Jimmy M. Guailacela and Paramedic
Marilyn L. Arroyo. —JP