Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

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 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 "I once carried the weight of a 110-story office  tower made of concrete and steel.  That was the easy part.  Today, I carry the memories and tears of  millions, the weight of a nation, a people."

by Steven P. Velasquez Feb. 9, 2012 There's an old French adage " to never bullshit a bullshitter ". Every now and again, my life's path intersects with someone who wants me to believe something -- like somewhere they once worked.  My natural instinct is to believe that person; right up to the point where facts collide with a person's emotional needs. When you're going to try to pass a story (usually for self-aggrandizement) that you worked in the World Trade Center , consider two possibilities: That you may be in the presence of those of us who actually did...   That your audience might actually know how to use a search engine. Be advised that your emotional need to create drama and drive the focus toward yourself... Is sad, pathetic and annoying Is disrespectful to everyone we ALL lost Make sure that when you give me a floor # and company name..  That you can remember a feature or two about the place      That "your employer" a...

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 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 August 31, 2010  This note was originally posted in a group of Jersey City Medical Center EMS employees.  Today, August 31 is the birthday of Robert Dominick Cirri of the Port Authority Police Department who was also a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic here in NJ.  I offer this to Bob's family on his birthday to remind them of how loved he was/is and will continue to be.  Happy Birthday Bob!  May I look upon your countenance again some day. **************************************************************************** Bob was one of the first Paramedics I had ever encountered. I was 18 when I got in the game and volunteered in Union City, NJ. I used to remember him as "the guy who looked like Sly Stallone." Sounds goofy but hey, it was the 80's and I don't think that was an insult. Of course Rambo XII and Rocky XXV hadn't been released yet. I guess we all need to make money right? Bob struck me as very competent, but the...

By Steven Velasquez September 11, 2001 This article was written by me on September 11th 2001 while in NYC providing fire suppression services for the people of Brooklyn. Two doors down from our firehouse was a bodega where I purchased a black marble composition notebook and a bag of pens. I began taking notes throughout the night and following day. This article was previously published electronically and in print. Only minor modifications were made to adjust for time differences or add additional facts. In response to the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center in NYC, NY - New Jersey Fire and EMS agencies implemented their disaster response plans under the direction of their County OEM (Office of Emergency Management). In the early part of the afternoon, September 11, 2001, a Task Force of Middlesex County Fire and E.M.S. agencies staged at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville, NJ. The following article will detail the accounts as recalled by a South ...