Heroes on the front lines: FDNY paramedic describes experience during pandemic

During his 17-year career as a paramedic, Anthony Almojera describes the last three months on the frontlines of the COVID crisis as the most devastating. Almojera spoke to PIX11 Morning News about his experience dealing with the pandemic.

NEW YORK — During his 17-year career as a paramedic, FDNY EMS Lt. Anthony Almojera described the last three months on the front lines of the COVID crisis as the most devastating. Almojera spoke to PIX11 Morning News about his experience dealing with the pandemic. Almojera said they started noticing a spike in calls in March, but called out the fact that the messages between the government and the city were conflicting and confusing so they did not know the severity of the virus. When New York City was operating as normal, 911 calls saw an increase in volume. Almojera said the FDNY and EMS respond to calls citywide, but noted that there was an increase in calls in lower-income and immigrant communities as well as "tremendous lines" outside hospital emergency rooms. Almojera also called to attention the pay disparity between the EMS and other fire responding industries and said many of them have to work mutliple jobs to make ends meet.