A fundraiser was held at the Plattekill Fire Department on Wednesday by Ulster County Emergency Medical Services Council and the New Paltz Rescue Squad to help Brandon Smith, a 31-year paramedic and adjunct professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College. 

Officials told Spectrum News 1 that Smith suffered a brain aneurysm earlier this month and has been hospitalized for his recovery.

Plattekill Fire Chief Christopher Mancuso said first responders are like family, and when one person is down, he added, it impacts everybody.

"Even though he’s not an actual member of the Plattekill Fire Department, he is a member of our emergency response as a community," Mancuso said. "When the news hit about Brandon, it was an eye opener for all of us ... We just want to give back to the Brandon Smith that’s been giving back to us for all of these years.”

Mancuso describes Smith as not only a role model for other first responders, but a wonderful human being.

"[He's] stellar," Mancuso said. "Perfect. Professional."

Meghan Williams, a paramedic program director for BMCC, said Smith touches lives both in and outside of the classroom. 

"He is an extremely talented educator," Williams said. "He is able to bring in not only the concepts and create those lightbulb moments, but the enthusiasm and the positivity that he brings is second to none."