john daniel to the rescue

The question seemed basic enough, yet John Daniel reflected for a moment, smiled, then struggled for the perfect answer that would adequately express the thoughts he held inside.

“Why did I join (the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad)?” said the 17-year-old Collegiate School junior.  “The truth is, I don’t know.  I really don’t know.”

As with many people who unselfishly take time from their lives to serve the community, Daniel’s commitment comes without fanfare or remuneration and involves conscience, sensitivity, humility, and self-sacrifice.  Putting his heartfelt reasons into words, therefore, would almost diminish the role he performs at least 8 hours a week, often more, while navigating a  challenging course load and maintaining some semblance of a life of his own.

“I do a lot of my school work on the weekend,” he says, “but sometimes I take my work with me and do it between running calls.  “It definitely takes a lot of focus.” 

While his reasons for signing on remain difficult to pinpoint, Daniel does cite several factors that piqued his interest.  His father is a doctor specializing in internal medicine, and his mother is a nurse.  He’s also a fan of Emergency,  TVLand fare,  and Third Watch  about New York fire fighters and paramedics.

“I was kind of indoctrinated into medicine since day one,” he added, “and what they did on those shows looked pretty cool.  I always enjoyed helping people.  This was a way to synthesize all that.”

Early last summer, Daniel applied to the rescue squad for probationary membership.  His acceptance came September 22.

“September 11, the way people selflessly raced into the buildings, was the final push over the threshold,” he said.    “I felt very helpless that I couldn’t do anything.  “Then when the spot opened, I jumped at it.”  He worked his first shift the next week, then plunged into emergency medical technician (EMT) training three nights a week, four hours a night, from October through January.

After the requisite six months, he achieved active status, and with his experience and certification he’s qualified to apply splints, bandages, and backboards, use the automatic external defibrillator, perform basic airway control, and administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

“John is a really bright young man, very interested, very dedicated,” said Chip Decker, Tuckahoe’s operations manager.  “Some high school kids do this as a résumé builder, but that’s not where John’s going at all. His motive is that he wants to help people.”

Daniel learned very quickly that there is no typical day for a rescue squadsman, a fact which adds to the allure.  Not long ago, an urgent 911 call sent him to his first automobile accident.  When the ambulance arrived, police and fire vehicles were already on the scene.  Tension and excitement filled the air.  Amid the furor, the crew  members from Tuckahoe patiently and carefully went to work.  As the lights of the rescue vehicles  flashed ominously across the landscape, they put the victim at ease, assessed the situation,  checked his vital signs, and immobilized him on a backboard.  Then, they hustled him to the hospital and delivered him to the emergency room staff, their mission    quietly and efficiently completed.

Much of the work, however, is more routine and dispels the myth of constant action and drama conveyed by television.  Many of the calls come from elderly folks who are ill or injured, and, while those moments might not send the squadsmen’s hearts racing, they elicit the same compassion and professionalism for which the Tuckahoe Rescue Squad is noted and are rewarding nonetheless.

“When people call the rescue squad,” says Daniel, “it’s usually the worst day of their life.  “I guess some of my motivation is helping make their worst moment a little better.”