On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, National First Responders Day, the Arts4All Foundation, elected officials, New York City Police Officers, New York City Firefighters, doctors, paramedics, EMTs, EMS, educators, healthcare emergency service workers, 9/11 first responders, and the Queens community gathered to celebrate National Responders Day, a date on which first responders across the nation are commemorated for their courage, sacrifice, and emergency support during times of crisis.
The Arts4All Foundation, in collaboration with the 105th New York City Police Department, honored Captain Douglas Moodie, Commanding Officer of the 105th Precinct, former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Ivonne Sanchez, a former FDNY EMT and 9/11 first responder, and Dr. Jacqueline Moline, the Director of the Northwell Health’s Queens World Trade Center Health program.
The honorees delivered speeches during the event, dwelling on the work of first responders and thanked Dr. Sumita SenGupta and the Arts4All Foundation for hosting the event.
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein said, “I was honored to attend the National First Responders Day Celebration hosted by the Arts4All Foundation and Dr. SenGupta at the 105th Precinct and voice my appreciation to those who dedicate their lives to keeping New Yorkers safe and healthy. All of the honorees have shown an outstanding commitment to public safety, and I am thankful for their work.”
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New York City has the nation’s largest 911, or emergency communications system, receiving around 10 million calls and dispatching approximately 40,000 first responders annually, the press release from Arts4All Foundation said.
Dr. Sumita SenGupta, the founder of the Arts4All Foundation and organizer of the event, said, “Between 24,000 and 25,000 times per day, New Yorkers across the city call 911 for an emergency, threat of imminent danger, and request for immediate assistance in a time of crisis. It is our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, doctors, and emergency services personnel who, with an unwavering commitment to public safety, respond to every call, putting their own lives at risk for the betterment of our communities.”
Among the most vulnerable populations of emergency service workers are 9/11 first responders and across the nation, over 130,000 9/11 first responders and 9/11 survivors are treated under the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program.
Dr. Jacqueline Moline, director of Northwell Hospital’s Queens World Trade Center Health Program, said, “It is truly an honor to receive the Visionary Leader Award today. But it has been a greater honor caring for first responders since the tragedy of 9/11 as one of the founders of the World Trade Center Health Program.”
Former Congresswoman Carolyn J. Maloney said, “I am proud to have championed several key pieces of legislation alongside 9/11 first responders, including the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and the Never Forget the Heroes Act of 2019, which formed permanent programs such as the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.” She noted the ongoing government shut-down was affecting services to first responders.
The National Responders Day Celebration ended with a cake-cutting ceremony and dinner. Local businesses donated dinner and dessert. Full meals were provided for the officers of the 105th precinct, 9/11 first responders, and the community by Ramandeep Singh Chhabra from Harry Sweets & Snacks. Kaushal Naik, the owner of Hot Breads, delivered a beautifully decorated ceremonial mango cake for the event.