FDNY EMTs Honored for Heroic Coney Island Swimmer Rescue

Heroic Rescue at Coney Island

• 🚨 Two FDNY EMTs, Mitchell Tarnapolsky and Amber Black, were honored for their bravery in rescuing two teenage boys from the Coney Island current.
• ⚡ The rescue occurred on July 6th last summer, just as lifeguards were preparing to leave their posts.
• 🏊‍♂️ EMT Tarnapolsky, a former NYC lifeguard of eight years, immediately dived in after hearing the distress call on the park radio.
• 🧠 He recalled his lifeguard training to locate one of the boys who had gone underwater and successfully brought both to shore.

Recognition and EMS Beach Detail

• 🏅 The pair received the Christopher J. Prescott medal, the highest EMS honor, for their life-saving actions.
• 🏖️ They were part of the FDNY EMS beach gator detail, patrolling the boardwalk and ready to respond to emergencies.
• ✨ EMT Black was on standby to render aid once the swimmers were brought to shore.

Beach Safety and Drowning Prevention

• ⚠️ The report highlights that beach season follows a difficult period, with seven drowning deaths last summer, the highest number since 2019.
• 🚩 A simple piece of advice for beachgoers is to swim only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and only where orange umbrellas are present.
• 🌊 This advice aims to prevent tragedies and ensure a safer summer for all enjoying New York City's beaches.