'It's heartbreaking': N.Y. community loses 2 EMS providers in less than 2 months

Paramedic Wesley Carl Green, with Wilton EMS, and EMT Ryan Gagliardi, with Malta-Stillwater Emergency Medical Services, were well-liked

By Leila MerrillEMS1

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Saratoga County EMS community has lost two providers in less than two months, the Times Union reported Thursday.

Wilton EMS Paramedic Wesley Carl Green, 41, died Sunday. He had an adverse reaction to medication after a massive stroke, according to his friend Matthew Gionet, who also is a paramedic.

EMT Ryan Gagliardi, 21, who served with Malta-Stillwater Emergency Medical Services and the Fuller Road Volunteer Fire Department, died on Sept. 27. The cause of death was not announced.

Malta-Stillwater Executive Director Scott Skinner said at the time that "Gags," as he was known, was "well-liked by all of our guys" and that the EMS station was bringing in grief counselors.

Gionet has worked at both EMS stations and said that the losses are difficult for the community.

"We have such a small work environment," said Gionet. "Everyone knows everyone, so losing someone in the industry ... it's going to take us some time. It's heartbreaking."

Gionet said Green was fun to have at the station and was a good trainer.

"I knew him for seven years. He made me into the paramedic I am today. He was proactive, a visual teacher who never let me breeze through."