Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

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...

MIC 3 Give Me the Air! (pronounced as mick) by Steven P. Velasquez November 11, 2012 "MIC 3 Urgent!! Give me the air!!"  (A paramedic's voice panting and confused, only able to process the name of one of the two intersecting streets they're on)   "I'm on Central and... (long pause)  I'm just east of 1st Street....  (another pause)  MIC 3 I'm on Central Ave...." (radio silence) Dispatcher - "Units clear the air! MIC 3, your location!?  Are you injured!?"  (The sound of a microphone keying up, but only labored breathing is heard).   Dispatcher - "MIC 3 repeat your last!!" This is the kind of radio transmission that no one in public safety wants to hear.  A unit, clearly in distress and disoriented is calling for help but can't clear their thoughts enough to articulate a clear message.  Their vehicle has been struck by another, at a...