A veteran FDNY EMS chief veteran died Tuesday from cancer related to his work at during the World Trade Center Attack.
Alvin Suriel, 52, was the city's first Hispanic assistant chief of operations of EMS.
"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,” Commissioner Daniel Nigro shared in a statement. “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.”
He started his career as an EMT in 1989 with his first assignment in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood. He became a paramedic in 1993 and later became a paramedic coordinator.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Suriel responded from the FDNY EMS Academy at Fort Totten in Queens to the World Trade Center with a large contingent of EMS workers where he spent many days working at the site.
He was promoted to lieutenant in 2005, and served as citywide paramedic coordinator for EMS operations. In 2010 he was promoted to captain and in 2013 he was named deputy chief, taking over the role of division commander for the Bronx in 2015. In 2017 he was appointed deputy assistant chief of EMS operations in 2017.
Appointed assistant chief in 2019, he was responsible for planning, logistics and operations and supervised 4,600 members, including EMTS, paramedics, officer and civilian employees.
Officials said he played a key role in the department's Counseling Services Unit and was an active member of a peer support group to help EMS workers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suriel leaves behind his wife and two daughters.
FDNY said Suriel is the 264th member of the department to die from a World Trade Center-related illness.
