Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

by Steven P. Velasquez December 30, 2013 Recently, an overnight call in a nursing home provided a much-needed shot in the arm for me. I often write about the issues we face in the pre-hospital world like being underpaid, underrecognized and often undermined (sometimes) by people who perform our type of work for free (volunteers). Sometimes I and other writers highlight the blunders and failed expectations and place an accusatory, blaming beam of light squarely upon them, those pesky volunteers. The irony there is that when one works in EMS in New Jersey, unlike any other career, they most often begin as a volunteer EMT before moving into career departments or becoming paramedics or other allied health professionals. Volunteering is a sort of proving ground, a place to cut one's teeth and learn this trade, before moving into a career position (or continuing a life of dedicated volunteerism). So the discomfort lies in being so frustrated at the very system that produced - YOU. N...

by Steven P. Velasquez December 31, 2011 Over the past few weeks, the EMS community in NJ has once again, endured the pain of having to bury a brother paramedic.  The details of why, how, ages etc… are irrelevant, for they all can be answered with the adjectives “painful,” “tragic,” “too soon,” “saddening” or “unnecessary.”  The reality is that we now have yet another, empty seat at our table.  Every calendar year ends with the Holiday Season, a time for celebration, family and joy.  For us in emergency services, the inverse is often true and can often weigh very heavily upon us.  The daily exposure to tragedy and pain can exact a sometimes deadly toll. Thus I encourage all my brother's and sister's – to take steps to actively become “our brother’s keeper” and let none of “our family” suffer in silence.  To borrow a saying from the Department of Homeland Security , “If you see something, say something.”   Strangely, even when w...

by Steven P. Velasquez October 3, 2013   Dear John - the CVS Jerk-Off,   I visited your establishment today in search of some personal products. I'm wearing conservative, business casual clothing just to set the scene correctly.    Perhaps I was there too long or strolled through an aisle too many. Your not-so-stealthy attempt to follow me with your beady eyes was betrayed by your shark fin-like, bald head that transiently appeared and vanished and appeared again in the aisles beside me as you seemingly sought to catch the brown guy "in the act."   When I got to the check out, you asked if I had a card. I replied (in fluent and articulate English) that I had lost my keys and thus, my card and asked you for a replacement. You confirmed my suspicion and secured your new nickname of John - The CVS Jerkoff when you passed me my new cards, unfolded the application and handed it to me - Spanish side up.   I won't get too dirty here or...

by Steven P. Velasquez Sept. 28, 2013 He sat in seat 11 at the window before the right wing (no pun intended) of the aircraft. The flight attendants smiled and silently illustrated the narrated safety directions. An American Airlines aircraft was parked beside him awaiting their passengers and cargo while the " Gate Gourmet " trucks fed the craft from the ground below. His plane began to taxi passing " Air India ," " Virgin ," and one plane with the NY JETS logo on the runway. He had navigated the roadway beneath the aircraft dozens of times in his mobile intensive care unit, but this time was different, this time he was a passenger and not a paramedic. As the attendant, who remarkably looked like his daughter Nicolette, gestured to the exits, his eyes welled up with tears and he wasn't quite sure why. Nicolette Velasquez teaches a CPR class for the deaf using American Sign Language (ASL)     The plane briskly accelerated and i...

by Steven P. Velasquez Sept. 29, 2013   Rutherford High School - Rutherford, NJ I'm driving up Interstate 85 between Charlotte and Greensboro, NC in my hot rental car. I'm frustrated because the cars on the highway seem immobile. A glance at my speedometer has me at 85 mph though I feel like I'm standing still. Comfortable, but probably not a good change from a safety standpoint. The radio is filling my ears with literally ALL the sounds of my formative years as I've found an 80's station that has me in complete nostalgia mode. The thought of getting a radio signal from a satellite in space vs. AM waves on terrestrial radio? Never thought we'd see the day back then, but here it is. I say this is a good change as the clarity, selections and lack of geographical restriction are seemingly endless.   The personalities on the satellite radio are none other than the original V.J.'s of the earliest days of MTV before it became ...

by Steven P. Velasquez September 21, 2013 Alright, alright already. Maybe you all were right. My strategy of working almost every moment of my life was detrimental to my health and to my family. I can't imagine how many moments like today have been missed while I ran from one employer to the next, to the next - and never was any bit better off financially than if I didn't do it. I owe my daughters a sincere apology as it was the only way I knew to attempt to secure a future for them. Well, I didn't hit the lottery or uncover a secret inheritance, but I have blocked some time out to breathe, to smile and to love. And it doesn't suck! This morning after work, I made a "B-line" to my little one's arms. She's been more excited about my birthday than... well, anyone. All week, she couldn't wait. She was going to bake me a cake and get me gifts and she, unlike her father, followed through on every bit of it. After she and her mother took me ou...

Forgive Me Father Because I Really Want To Sin...     by Steven P. Velasquez 09/17/2013      I finished teaching my class this afternoon and upon leaving the hospital, got sucked in by the absolutely stunning fall weather, the cool temps, and knowing that I was just a little more than two blocks away from the beach. When I left the hospital, I was vibrating with enthusiasm and filled with happiness knowing that I was just a hop, skip and a jump away -- from a beautiful sunset and crashing waves. My location in the world was Long Branch, New Jersey, a place I've frequented since childhood, served as a paramedic since adulthood and educated their health professionals these past several years.           I perched here on this scenic deck. There was no one here but me, me and the intense scenery, and the gulls, there's always the gulls.   My tripod was up, camera equipment scattered about a small table and...

by Amy Eisenhauer, EMT May 20, 2013 I am blessed to have such amazing friends.   One or two of them I have known most of my life and we have grown and experienced things together as brothers and sisters would.   But most of my friendships have been forged in the bonds of fraternity.   I suspect you are thinking, “Fraternity? You are a female, what would you know about brotherhood?”    Delta Tau Chi- "Animal House" 1978 Typically the word fraternity brings to mind college parties and secret rites or heroic soldiers returning from battle.   Both of those images are accurate when speaking of the Fraternity of EMS.   We can be silly and rambunctious when at rest, but when called to action we are professionals ready to mitigate your worst day. All my close friendships have been kindled via the field of EMS.   There is something about spending 12 hours in a truck with someone that forges a bond.   You learn how they take their coffee, what ...

Are You "Learning Enabled?" by Steven P. Velasquez May 6, 2013 I was doing some Spring Cleaning today, but not of the physical variety. I was mulling through folders and folders of previously important email, messages etc... when I happened upon one that is a keeper for sure. The words within it were touching, though not authored by the sender. The fact the sender found me worthy of such words is what touched me so deeply and leaves me glad I didn't hit delete. The person who sent it was a student of mine. She too is an educator, in the public school system if memory serves me correct. Often when I teach my classes, I share with the students a part of my life that is a little embarrassing, has caused me much grief (probably more for my parents) but I share it with my students willingly to help alay their fears. You see, they sometimes appear eager and are so quick to come tell me their problem, their issue, their excuse for their anticipated underperformance. ...

My childhood home on Mountain Way in Rutherford, NJ My Japanese Friend     April 27, 2013 by Steven P. Velasquez   Once I was young, As you were once too, Turned many a page, You too, now have aged   When I ran, skipped and played, My face feeling hot, You offered me shade, home base, a cool spot   As my roots grew deep, Long, strong and wide Yours did so too, Mine from within, yours outside Oh beautiful friend, we've endured much together, Watched changing seasons, Harsh and warm weather Protect the next family, Watch over their lot, Offer them shade - home base - a cool spot

The boardwalk at Point Pleasant is currently being rebuilt and spirits are high! by Steven P. Velasquez March 24, 2013 Jersey Strong! So what does " Jersey Strong " actually mean? It's tough to define in words alone, but perhaps some imagery will help. As October 2012 gave way to November, the second most expensive storm to strike the U.S. ever, gave a direct blow to the Jersey Shore, costing billions, devastating thousands and killing more than 100 (Source: Time). Hurricane Sandy was second only to Hurricane Katrina which devastated the Gulf Coast in 2008. February 6, 2013 was the 100 day mark after Sandy's landfall. Now April rapidly approaches, and as always, once the camera crews leave, so does the public interest and the support so desperately needed to recover. Just ask the people of Haiti and Louisiana. Despite these truths, the industrious and resilient people of  New Jersey are rebuilding and remain - Jersey Strong. Despite the shameless acts...

by Steven P. Velasquez March 19, 2013  There are times in a person's life when one gets dangerously close to physical events around them, at great peril to themselves. Some people have jobs that bring them closer to such danger more often. Some of us call it "a day at the office."    EMS MVC in Prince Georges County VA An emergency service worker is often tasked with responding to MVC's (motor vehicle collisions). Too often, responders are directly involved in MVC's as part of their job requires expeditious driving (not reckless driving) to emergencies. This calculated risk is necessary as time is of the essence when it comes to protecting human life. Compound that with a greatly distracted, often inebriated, densely populated area, and you now have many of the ingredients of  New Jersey's urban environments (Camden, Trenton, Jersey City, Paterson and Newark).   We had just cleared up after BLS cancelled us on a call in Newark, NJ...

by Steven P. Velasquez February 10, 2013

Remember, Speak (honestly), Listen (intently), Repeat. Remember, Speak (honestly), Listen (intently), Repeat. Sometimes simple directions (like those on a shampoo bottle) can be applied to complex life situations to help keep us focused, resolute and moving in a forward direction. These past several weeks/months have been more trying to the NJ EMS community than I can remember in a century's q uarter. Hurricanes, loss of power, loss of property, loss of income, loss of loved one's -- and loss of each other are the recurrent themes.      Mourning Band I've personally begun to fear answering my phone, checking in on Facebook or reading email for fear of hearing, reading or learning of more pain and loss "within the perimeter".    My Facebook these days could aptly be renamed Eulogybook, or so it feels. Our smiling profile pics are replaced with images of bunting, mourning bands, and "In loving memory of...". Our flags nev...

  by Steven P. Velasquez January 27, 2013 Below is a copy of a term paper I submitted while pursing a degree in Fire Science in 2003.  I'm attaching it here because this morning's news leads with the tragic loss of over 240 young lives in a night club in Brazil over night.  The fire allegedly broke out from a pyrotechnics display that communicated to the soundproof foam over head and the rest is the repetitive story of too many people, with a rapidly advancing, fuel fed fire and not enough avenues for egress. I posted links to the tragedy on Facebook and one of the first replies I received was; "Where were the sprinklers?"  If you have a few minutes, read below and see how this tragic history continues to repeat itself both here and abroad. Respectfully and with prayers for the deceased, Steve http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/27/world/americas/brazil-nightclub-fire/index.html

by Steven P. Velasquez January 25, 2013 Anyone who's been close to me knows I have no capacity for planning when it comes to my private or social life.  Work, I've had to get good at but it hasn't come easy.  People invite me places, want me to celebrate things with them,  want to catch up on old times and I just can't ever seem to get it right.  My pathetic excuse is always; "I'm too busy.  I had to work."  It's one of my biggest weaknesses. Franklin Planner   So as I mature, I've been taking active steps to improve my planning.  I use online calendars, sync them with my laptop, my smart-phone etc...  And, being a little retro, I still maintain a written calendar in a Franklin Planner out of part ritual and devout loyalty to Dr. Steven Covey and the Franklin system which has drastically improved my life since my early twenties.   This weeks plans were intricate, detailed and a complex mix of personal and profession...

Outgoing Secretary of State Hillry R. Clinton feigns outrage at Senator Ron Johnson (R) of Wisconsin by Steven P. Velasquez January 24, 2013 Click here to see Secretary Clinton's heated exchange Yes Madam Secretary, it matters!   It matters to the informed.  It matters to the concerned.  It matters to the families and loved one's of the deceased.  It matters to Americans and it matters to those who wish to destroy us.  How dare you suggest it doesn't matter?  Your boss and this administration demonstrates mastery of this tactic.  You obstruct, deny, delay and distract until this uninformed, easily distracted society completely forgets what happened and not a one of you - is ever held accountable for your actions or inactions.  So much for the most transparent government in this nation's history. Here you finally show up after your tragic concussion, dehydration, hospitalization nonsense  and illustrate contempt toward the most valid...