Second administration
2026–2030
Members in good standing submit their credentials to take on director roles on the dual EMSPAC boards and Steering Committee.
Walter Adler
Walter Adler has served 22 years in EMS, including Transcare, Midwood, FDNY EMS, Cataldo, SCEMS, RCA, Assist, GRM, Bronxcare, Montefiore, Cityblock and NYU Langone. He has worked in a training or consultant capacity for EMS in Haiti, Iraq and Syria. Currently an 1199SEIU delegate for NYU EMS and a JD candidate at CUNY Law. Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)(3).
David Besprozvany
David has served as an EMT with Maimonides, Northwell, and currently with the Central Park Medical Unit. He is a dispatcher with Cityblock Health and an aspiring future physician. A founder of the EMSPAC 501(c)(4), he has been heavily involved in the planning and implementation of EMSPAC efforts, serving on the Steering Committee since 2022.
Karessa Abe
Karessa Abe holds a B.A. in Communications from SUNY Albany. She is Deputy Director at the Greater Ridgewood Development Council and a former public school STEM instructor. EMSPAC 501(c)(3) Treasurer since 2024 and Editor in Chief of The Third Service since 2021. A founding member, she has served five years on the First Administration Steering Committee, primarily in communications and graphic design roles.
Ovadia Choueka
An active 1199SEIU delegate for Jamaica Hospital, where he works as a paramedic, a CIC at CAHE, and a businessman in the healthcare supplies industry. Founding member of the 501(c)(4) PAC team.
Aaron Weiss
Chaplain, law enforcement advisor, and community and government relations specialist. He provides counsel to law enforcement, government officials and communities during times of crisis and unrest, with a background in emergency crisis management and community relations, specializing in fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Founding member of the EMSPAC 501(c)(3), with five years on the First Administration.
Sidney Castiblanco
Sidney Castiblanco has served 18 years with FDNY EMS and is currently an instructor at the Bureau of Training. He has been on the EMSPAC Steering Committee as Queens division leader for over four years.
Josette Santana
Josette Santana served 20 years as an EMT in the Bronx and Brooklyn, with experience at FDNY EMS, Mentorcare, Transcare and SCEMS. A mother of four and a grandmother, she is committed to working with both longtime colleagues and the next generation of first responders to strengthen solidarity and unite EMS professionals across the nation.
Leib Mozyrskiy
Leib has served in EMS since 2021, starting as an EMT and advancing to paramedic, with experience in 911, interfacility, event and specialty transport. With prior experience in the tech industry, he brings innovation and problem-solving to EMSPAC.
Tom Herrera
A New York City EMT for Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital with over twenty years of service, now serving as EMSPAC's Vice President of Lobbying. He fights for pay parity with the NYPD and FDNY, emphasizing that fair wages are vital to resolving the EMS staffing crisis, and champions mental health initiatives to address PTSD among EMS providers.
Stacey Esparra
With more than 23 years of experience as an EMT, professionally and as a volunteer with Glen Oaks Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Stacey has dedicated her career to patient care and to strengthening the EMS community. She advocates for fair compensation, improved working conditions and greater recognition for EMTs and paramedics.
Malgorzata Brzakalska
An emergency management and business continuity professional with over a decade of experience across federal, healthcare and private sectors. A former Assist Ambulance and NewYork-Presbyterian EMT, published author and policy strategist, she serves as an Emergency and Continuity Planner at the National Cancer Institute. Recipient of the 2024 NCI Director's Award and 2021 NIH Director's Award. Holds an MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management, and CBCP and APIO certifications.
Michael O'Connor
An active Assist Ambulance EMT, pre-med student at City College and front-line labor organizer with 1199SEIU. An EMT since 2017, he works at the Assist Ambulance Bronx base and played a major role in the organizing committee for the Assist employees' 1199 campaign. Majoring in Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Health Justice, and a fellow of the Colin Powell Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service.
Jesse Stephen
Jesse Stephen has served 16 years predominantly in Brooklyn EMS, including 13 years with FDNY EMS, and is currently campaigning to be Vice President of DC-37 Local 2507. Active in the Crisis to Care budget initiative to secure $1 million for REMSCO peer support from the City Council, he is deployed to FDNY EMS Station 59 in Brooklyn.
Organize where you work.
EMSPAC is all-active-duty and all-volunteer. Joining is what lets us respond to hardships, push advocacy, and build a national organization around our demands.