Need help? Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255, or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to chat with a counselor.
By Laura French
NEW YORK — An FDNY EMT who had recently started his career at Station 18 in the Bronx has died by suicide.
EMT John Mondello, 23, was found dead in Queens on Friday night, according to the New York Post. He had been assigned to the Tactical Response Group at Station 18 after graduating from the department’s EMS Academy in early February.
A fellow EMT and graduate told the Post that they and Mondello had previously discussed the stress of “jumping into the pandemic, the high call volume” after graduation.
Another friend told the Post that Mondello told them he was experiencing anxiety after “witnessing a lot of death” during his job.
“The loss of this young EMT who chose to bravely serve others is a tragedy for our entire department. We all mourn his loss and our prayers are with his family,” FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement.
“We are saddened by the unfolding news of the passing of one of our heroic members during this pandemic,” Local EMS Union 2507 President Oren Barzilay said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News. “Our heartfelt sympathy to his family and our EMS family.”
Barzilay recommended that members reach out to the FDNY’s Counseling Services Unit or the union if they feel they need help.
Mondello was the son of a retired NYPD officer.
“He’s a wonderful boy and they’re a wonderful family,” a relative told the Post. “We are totally devastated. Beautiful personality. Big heart.”
The FDNY football team tweeted a photograph of Mondello following the announcement of his death.
https://twitter.com/FDNYFootball/status/1254071750662512647