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He's one of the heroes of September 11 and two years
after the tragedy he's taking his experience and using
it to help others. NY1’s Susan Jhun has his story in her
latest “NY1 For You:”
As a veteran paramedic of 25 years, Marvin Bethea has
dealt with many dangerous situations.
“I've had guns put to my head twice, I've been shot at
once and I've seen a lot in my career,” Bethea said.
“But nothing in the world could ever have prepared me
for what happened on September 11.”
As part of the rescue effort that day, Bethea was there
when the towers collapsed, risking his life trying to
save others.
“The scariest part was not knowing exactly what was
going on,” he said.
Unlike many of his colleagues Bethea survived, but not
unharmed. A month after the attacks, he suffered a
stroke while on the job, a condition his doctor
attributed to the stress of the attacks.
When NY1 first met with Bethea, two months after the
tragedy, he was at home, using his sick time and worried
his benefits would run out. At that time, NY1 spoke with
his union, 1199, and they agreed to extend his benefits
and replace his lost wages. NY1 also contacted Catholic
Charities on Bethea's behalf and they gave him roughly
$$8,000 in assistance.
Over the past two years, NY1 has followed Bethea's
recovery. In May of 2002, he was honored along with five
other members of the St. John's Ambulance Department for
their work on 9/11.
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