A fallen paramedic from Ambulnz was given an emergency escort last night when her body was transported out of a local hospital. Members of the community and fellow EMS professionals are speaking out about her untimely death while offering assistance to her family.
Lisa Sillins, age 58 of Hopewell Junction, died yesterday after being struck by an alleged drunken driver in the City of Newburgh at 6:18pm on Friday (story here). Sillins had just finished her shift working for Ambulunz and was walking across Robinson Avenue to get into her car, which was parked in the employee’s parking lot. Pablo Colector, age 45 of White Plains, plowed into her with a Ford pickup truck. Sillins remained in critical condition until passing away yesterday.
Thanks to New York State’s pro-crime politicians, the accused drunken lunatic was ticketed and released while Sillins was left clinging for her life. According to the Emergency Medical Services Public Advocacy Council (EMSPAC), Colector was charged with vehicular assault, DWI, and DUAI.
EMSPAC noted that the intersection in question has been the location of several motor vehicle accidents including other incidents of pedestrians being struck. Media inquiries to Ambulnz in regards to the location of the employees’ parking lot and the danger to their employees has been unsuccessful.
“We are optimistic that Ambulnz will continue to do what’s prudent for her family in this tragic time,” EMSPAC stated.
Last night, crews from Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services joined Ambulunz, other local ambulance agencies, and police departments in providing an emergency escort from the hospital Sillins was staying at. See the video below.
Noticeably absent from the escort was the presence of any local fire departments. Ambulance personnel frequently turn out to support injured or fallen firefighters.
“While we are optimistic that this release will shed some light on the differences between emergency service professions and the lack of attention we receive during critical incidents such as these in comparison to our brothers and sisters in fire or law enforcement, we have become so accustomed to internally supporting each other through crowd funding and by other means,” EMSPAC explained in a press release.
EMSPAC also did not take kindly to News 12 allegedly referring to this highly trained and certified paramedic as an “ambulance driver.” Entry level volunteer EMS positions consist of trained first aid providers who also drive the ambulances. The next step, for both paid and volunteer services, consists of advanced levels of schooling and state certifications as Emergency Medical Technicians. After much more intense schooling and advanced certifications is a Paramedic, which is the rank Sillins earned. Paramedics are also able to administer medications.
EMSPAC called News 12’s report “a gross misrepresentation of her hard work, her grueling clinical education and the many dedicated years of service this Paramedic has provided to multiple agencies and jurisdictions and countless lives saved.”
Paramedic Dominic Arena was Sillins’ partner years ago while working for Empress EMS together. “I really don’t know what to say, there’s just so much,” Arena explained. “She was a great person and a great provider. She had a really big heart and would do almost anything for anyone she worked with. I never saw her not smile.”
EMT Adrian Monroe, who also previously worked with Sillins at Empress EMS, also had kind words to say. “Lisa had to be one of the most purest and kindhearted people you could’ve ever met if you worked at Empress long ago,” he observed. “Lisa was like an aunt at work who took her heart and passion doing what she loved to do and then showed you how to treat patients and render care to anyone in need. Lisa, You will always be missed.”
An Ambulnz paramedic speaking on the condition of anonymity noted, “She was our work mom.
“Our entire staff would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Ambulnz Paramedic Lisa Sillins,” the Town of Newburgh EMS issued in a statement. “Rest easy Lisa, we’ve got it from here.”
EMSPAC wrote in a public statement, “Paramedic Sillins very clearly left pieces of her legacy in the hearts and minds of countless providers along the way. With a career spanning over 20 years and multiple agencies, across several counties of the Hudson Valley as well as the Bronx, the overwhelming amount of love on social media and amongst chat groups is nothing short of amazing. To think about the amount of people she has helped along her epic career is truly something to marvel at. We will carry her memory by reflecting her positivity and wisdom on our calls and in our daily lives.”
Sillins’ family is also in the thoughts of EMSPAC. “While we mourn our sister Paramedic, we also grieve for her children and her family and are standing by at the ready to offer our assistance. We are here to offer Peer Support services for any EMS personnel affected by this tragedy and are continuously monitoring this developing story in the coming days and weeks,” EMSPAC stated.
Mobile Life Support Services also issued a statement following Sillins’ death. “Our deepest and most sincere condolences are with the family, friends, and fellow EMS providers of Lisa Sillins,” the statement read. “Rest easy, Lisa, we’ll take it from here.”
Ambulnz also issued a statement, as reported in The Newburgh News yesterday. “Lisa was a dedicated, caring paramedic and a beloved member of the Ambulnz team,” they wrote. “Ambulnz wrote in a statement released this evening. She was a shining light for her teammates, patients, and the community she faithfully served. She made a positive impact on all those around her.”
Ambulnz’s statement continued, “Her friends and family will never forget her joyful attitude, sense of humor and fun. Above all, she was devoted to her work in EMS and to those she worked with. Lisa will be greatly missed by her coworkers, friends, family and all of her EMS family. Our hearts are with her family and loved ones, including her mother, brothers, sister and extended family.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.
The lunatic accused of killing Sillins is scheduled to appear in the City of Newburgh Court on Tuesday, January 3, 2022, at 9:00am.
