FDNY Assistant Chief Dies Of World Trade Center-Related Cancer

New York City NY

07 December, 2021

10:46 AM

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NEW YORK CITY — Alvin Suriel, a 32-year veteran of the New York City Emergency Medical Service department, died on Tuesday and became the 264th member of the FDNY to succumb to an illness related to the Sept. 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack, the city announced. Suriel was 52. Suriel's death was caused by WTC-related cancer, according to Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. His death comes two years after he was appointed the department's assistant chief of EMS Operations and Chief of Field Operations. Suriel was the first Hispanic ever appointed to the post, the city announced. In his role, Suriel assisted in the supervision of 4,600 Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, EMS Officers, and civilian employees, according to a news release. He oversaw operations, planning, strategic initiatives, and logistics in the Bureau of EMS. He also worked closely with the department's Counseling Services Unit and helped to address the mental health needs of the EMS workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release announcing his death. "Al Suriel spent three decades providing pre-hospital emergency medical care throughout our city. He saved an untold number of lives in his time as an EMT and Paramedic, and through his inspirational leadership in our bureau of EMS," Nigro said in a statement released Tuesday. "He was there for New Yorkers on September 11th, he was instrumental in our Department's extraordinary response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he administered outstanding care to every single patient who ever called for his help. His dedication to duty was immeasurable and his loss is a painful blow to our entire department." Suriel began his career with the department in 1989 as an EMT assigned to Harlem. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 2010 before being appointed division commander in the Bronx in 2015, the news release said. He was then named assistant chief of EMS operations in 2017 before being moved to the role of chief two years later. "I started in 1989 in the streets of a Harlem as an EMT, actually started as a summer job. I loved it. In 1993 I upgraded as a Paramedic. I decided to become an officer in 2005," Suriel said in a podcast interview with the FDNY. "Since then, slowly but surely, I have been climbing the ranks to where I am now. My primary responsibility is that of overseeing field operations We all support what I feel is the backbone of this department, which is our EMTs, Paramedics and Officers." Suriel is survived by his wife and two daughters. Funeral arrangements are pending.