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...

  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 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 June 10, 2010 A four year-old boy in the 1970’s visits the Asbury Park boardwalk with his parents. A day of rides, games and salt-water taffy turns sour when the boy gets a splinter in his foot and is in terrible pain. The parents, not knowing where to go, take the crying tyke to a local firehouse and seek the help of the brave. Doing the best they can with what they have, which is what these people do daily, the firefighters remove the splinter, clean the wound and dry the boy’s tears. To speed the process, they let the little boy wear their turnout gear and helmet as he lives out a childhood fantasy and proudly rings the polished bell mounted upon the front bumper. Ten years later, on a cool October’s afternoon, the growing boy is on the phone with a friend. The cord (wired device used to connect the receiver to the telephone back then) wraps from the hallway to the living room where the boy is perched upon a chair when his best ...

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 ...