Armstrong Ambulance Service Inc., which for nearly seven decades has served the Arlington and Greater Boston community, including Medford, recognized 46 members of its first responder team for their dedication and heroic efforts during the Boston Marathon bombing during a special ceremony on Oct. 23.
The team of dispatchers, EMTs and paramedics joined a fleet of Greater Boston EMS providers last April in providing the highest level of pre-hospital care to the injured on the scene, and in swiftly transporting patients to area hospitals to help save lives.
Among the Medford residents recognized were EMT Julissa Almendarez, Armstrong Incident Commander Sean Mangan and dispatcher Joseph Belanger.
Among the survivors of the bombing was Paul Norden, of Stoneham, who along with his brother, Paul, was critically injured in the blast.
Norden was treated at the scene and transported to Beth Israel Hospital by Armstrong paramedics Sean Gelinas and Matt O’Connor, whom he met for the first time at the Armstrong ceremony.
Sen. Kenneth Donnelly presented Certificates of Merit to the first responders.
“We are proud to be a part of the Greater Boston EMS community, a group that proved it can stand together, Boston Strong, even in the most challenging of circumstances,” said Bill Armstrong. “Our people dedicate their lives to serving others, and we are pleased to be able to show our gratitude to them at this event.”
For more information about Armstrong Ambulance, visit www.armstrongambulance.com or call 781-648-0612.
For more information about the Norden brothers and their road to recovery, see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Norden-Brothers-Boston-Marathon-Victims/653628117987395?fref=ts.