Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

by Steven P. Velasquez December 2005 'Twas the night of the squad call when all through the town, Not a “hero” responded, not one could be found. Her chest had felt pressure, her lungs short of air, Praying for an ambulance soon to be there. The “heroes” were all nestled all snug in their beds, While images of heroism danced in their heads. And Mama in her jumpsuit and I, a job shirt Heard the pager & rolled over – “It’s your third alert!” When out on my scanner there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to view what’s the matter?! Away to the scanner I staggered – then belched, Raised up the volume and lowered the squelch. The dispatcher yelled to the officers on scene “Step it up! They called back. She's not breathing!” When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But career Paramedics, What? No volunteers? No little old drivers – jump - suits or blue lights, I knew in a moment our end was in sight. More rapid than eagles, their medicines came, As they pushed ...

by Steven P. Velasquez October 31, 2011 As last week's weather forecasts began to mention the "S" word for North and West Jersey, I and I assume a great many others, believed it was another bogus forecast designed to stir public interest and increase their viewer base.  As the weekend rolled up, it became more plausible that this was in fact a storm with real consequences and it's no B.S., it's coming! Who in the northeast ever remembers snow before Halloween?  Yes, possible but definitely not probable.  Well it arrived and packed quite the punch too.  Some of the complicating factors were that the trees still held their leaves compounded by a heavy, wet snow-fall and high winds.  This tri-fecta of seasonal circumstances created a Nor'easter we won't soon forget , particularly those of us in Emergency Services. The snow began to fall mid-afternoon on Saturday.  When I awoke to go to work the night shift in Newark, my truck had a tree down in front ...

by Steven P. Velasquez Oct. 7, 2011 Few people in my life know that I’ve made some changes over the recent past and fewer still know why.  Suffice it to say the reasons are personal and it matters not who’s at fault.  When it comes to human relationships and parenting, the only people that truly matter are the children and immediate family members.  A little over a week ago while my Facebook account was blowing up with literally hundreds of birthday wishes (which I truly appreciate and admit they helped me greatly while dealing with said issue), my life at home had finally burst at the seams and required drastic change.  It was time to leave.  That realization was made years ago, but for reasons economic had not yet manifested.  Now, ready or not, it had just become too much and required immediate action.  Fortunately, thank God, my parents were kind enough to open their arms and say “Come home son.” Pay no attention to the ...

By Steven P. Velasquez Sept. 30, 2011 Raul Montes DeOca of "Wood & Strings" I visited my barber shop in Perth Amboy, NJ yesterday for some molding and shaping of my traditional “high & tight” hair.  I walked in and was quickly greeted by screaming, explosions, heavy gun and artillery fire interwoven between the horn and conga sections of a salsa band overhead.  Handshakes and hugs were exchanged as I was invited to sit in one of their chairs.  The rat ta tat tat of machine gun fire was deafening and surprisingly no one was ducking, diving or otherwise taking cover.  The staff was heavily engaged in a video game on an obnoxiously large screen and matching surround sound system.  As they wrapped my neck and cloaked my chest I tried to tune out the noise when the chair spun me toward a mirror with a sign that read “No cell Phones Please.”  They apparently didn’t want distracted customers talking or texting while they were approa...

by Steven Velasquez September 16, 2011 With a deep sigh and a glance at the changing weather, it quite unfortunately is time to say buh-bye butterfly fries.  Peace out pretzels.  Ciao Kohr's custard.  Ta ta taffy and farewell to funnel cake.  We'll be back again next summer (God willing).  These thoughts rattled about my mind as I passed the closed shops and stands, during a cathartic stroll along the boardwalk at Point Pleasant this week. Point Pleasant, NJ Brianna enjoys summer's end at the shore It was ten years and a day after hate-filled terrorists scarred the beautiful mental landscape of serene summer's past.  Now, and I anticipate for at least the rest of my summers, the seasons' end will always lead up to a tear-filled week in September filled with hugs, fond memories, prayer and reflection.  Those were the reasons I finally took a night to myself and partnered with my youngest, my angel, for some salt-water therapy and the to...

By Ron Jacobs, MICP (Reprinted with permission) Remember when 10 years ago On a bright September morn; When planes did crash and fire raged And our patriotism was reborn Interfaith memorial - So. Amboy, NJ 2001 Terrorists had attacked us But could not keep us down; As Fire, Police, and EMS Rushed to New York town So many of us were working On that 9/11 day; And all had but a singular thought That help was on the way. With little thought of personal care Through the rubble they made their way Looking to help wherever they could And maybe save the day. Alas there was no saving The damage had been done But no retreat was sounded Into the battle we all would run So many lives were tragically lost We all know more than a few; And none of us will ever forget The sites, the sounds, the view. So take a moment on this Sunday To reflect and remember the past To all who didn’t make it Your memories will always last. ...

by Nicolette A. Velasquez September, 2011 The following is a poem my daughter Nikki has composed for an English class.  She shared it with me on Facebook and well, you can imagine a father's response.  I'm sharing it with you and would love to hear your replies. Thank you in advance. I am from Steve and Dawn, But also Mark and Michele The girls and Michele We are Inkybink, Breezy, and Samonkey Sissy's I am from fire trucks, and ambulances And "I’ll be right back." With Daddy South Amboy Engine 7 I was from "Stop fighting!" Which became "Why is daddy packing?" I am from "What happened to Daddy’s office?" I am from the Twin Towers Nikki at Ground Zero Oct. 2001 I am from that little street next to the VFW, But also that townhouse down in Morganville Painting Brianna's bedroom Summer 2006 I am from "Time for church!" From platano's at Abuela’s and r...

By Steven P. Velasquez, NREMTP, MICP 09-07-11 During paramedic school, I went through a level of economic hardship I've never known till or since then.  I was 830 miles from home, totally unprepared to live on my own, never learned how to balance a check book, manage a budget or pay anything larger than a car payment and my beeper bill (it was the 90s no cell phones yet).  Now, trying to juggle tuition, books, rent, utilities, the truck payment, insurance etc… etc…  I was overwhelmed.  I had been evicted from several apartments, had checks bouncing all over the place, couldn’t pay a traffic summons, then got caught driving on a suspended license which, of course cost my employment too.  My parents did not have the resources to pay my way and I squandered all nine of my years of high school partying instead of learning and perhaps qualifying for a scholarship. During that period, overwhelmed, depressed and nearly beaten, I had, at the invitation of a...

By Steven P. Velasquez, NREMTP September 1, 2011 This post was originally written in a Facebook group honoring the memory of a dear friend and leader in the emergency services field.  David, like so many others, exchanged his life on 11th September, 2001 so that others may live.  His legacy lives on in the collective memories of those of us who knew and loved him.  We keep David, and others, alive by telling and retelling his stories, by displaying his image and by granting access to his family. This year, on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Union City, NJ will honor David's memory by renaming the street where th e David P. Lemagne EMS building is located.  16th St. between New York Ave. and Palisade Ave. will now be known as "David Lemagne Way."  Additionally, the Union City Museum will be unveiling a section focusing on the 9/11 attacks and will now have personal memorabilia of David's proudly on display there.  All are invited by the Lemagn...

by Steven P. Velasquez, MICP, NREMTP Aug. 22, 2011 Sometimes the EMS calls we go on serve to remind us of how fortunate we are, if we're wise enough to understand the messages, hidden and not.   One sunny afternoon I was detailed to a critical care transport truck with Bob (Bro) Casey, an MICN or Mobile Intensive Care Nurse.   For those of you not in the EMS field, that is someone who is both a paramedic and a registered nurse.   Working with Bob was always great because he was so smart, so cool and so unshakable that you knew no matter what happened, things would be ok. We were dispatched to a home in New Brunswick, NJ for a child with difficulty breathing.   As we approached the scene, only a few short blocks from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, who also has a renowned children's hospital, we saw a single police car parked in front of the address.   We called on scene when the front door sprang open and a police officer darted out of the house wi...

Please click on the link below.  Watch it in its entirety, then read the article below .   Original video was shot by Jerry McCrea of "The Star Ledger" . http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2011/08/boonton_emergency_responder_i.html   A recent shooting of two people in Boonton, NJ as they walked with their three year-old son has left this Morris County town, and its emergency responders, reeling.  The event triggered the obligatory news coverage including the video linked above above.   A fellow paramedic called my attention to the video he posted on his Facebook page.  He was deeply disturbed by the video.  There were already over 25 pretty angry responses insulting, shaming and blaming the EMT for perhaps a bit more than she could possibly be responsible for.  There were insults to her speech patterns, calls to remove her certification, eliminate her from the field and some other unsavory comments too. Typical responses from a group ...

By Devin Kerins, B.A., MICP Aug. 13, 2011 So you passed your EMT class, found an ambulance to climb aboard and are now contemplating taking the plunge into the next phase of EMS?  Or perhaps you're a 'seasoned pro'  EMT who is wondering if you should advance your career?  Either way, you're probably wondering when the time is right.  It's a huge commitment in time, with great responsibilities and even greater personal reward, but whether or not the time is right is never an automatic 'yes.'  So let's start by examining the most important patient of all -- you!   The first question you need to ask yourself is "Why did I want to be a paramedic?  We all have our own reasons for getting into EMS.  Some get into it out of a genuine altruistic desire to help people. Some get into it because it's a great stepping stone to a career as a nurse or physician.  If you're like me, you got into it because you get to drive a flashy truck, scoff at maj...

by Steven P. Velasquez Aug. 8, 2011 This past weekend I found myself in an unfamiliar position. My calendar was clear; no work, no teaching, no family obligations. One daughter, Nicolette (15) was in Phoenix, AZ with her mother at a fine arts festival and my youngest, Brianna (4) was with her mother in Boston, MA for a weekend getaway. As always, there was plenty of opportunity to pick up shifts at one of my employers but, like a recovering addict at a bar, I said no and removed myself from the situation. My calendar was clear but my mind was not. It was time for some Harley therapy. In my traditional form, I mounted Rocinante, my trusty steed, and headed in a direction dictated solely by happenstance. That direction was south and this rider errant, " the Medic of La Mancha ," was off on yet another two-wheeled adventure. I packed what I could fit in my saddlebags; some books, my laptop, my camera equipment and even some clothes and toiletries. About 75 miles i...