Last weekend, I attended (along with a number of other volunteers from the Woodstock Rescue Squad) the Vital Signs Conference at the Sheraton Towers in New York City.
Two great aspects of the conference: (1) an inspiring motivational speech by John O'Leary, and (2) the opportunity to spend some quality time with my friend, Peter Allemano. Peter and I had dinner with the other members of the rescue squad at a Chinese restaurant on West 56th Street, and we also had plenty of time to yak and walk the streets of the city.
O'Leary was by far the best speaker at the event. When he was nine years old, O'Leary was playing with matches and a full can of gas in his family's garage. He burned the house down, and sustained third degree burns over 87% of his body.
O'Leary was not expected to live. Emergency medical personnel, dedicated nurses and some unexpected friends in high places provided him with the motivation to recover and thrive. He's now a middle aged man with a wife and three sons. I strongly suggest that you read his story.
I had not known that so many emergency medical personnel die in the line of duty, but I learned this at the conference. On Sunday, our opening ceremonies memoralized fallen comrades from 2009. Very moving.
I learned some very worthwhile new skills at the conference. I learned that I'd better keep my eyes open when I go out on calls. Although the calls often seem routine, serious injury and death can strike emergency medical personnel without warning. Many have made the supreme sacrifice.



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