Richie

It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years. Feels like it was only yesterday that this organization, this city, this area, and this industry lost a truly inspirational leader. It's amazing that people will put a time frame on how well you may know a person, or that the longer you know someone, the more impact they have on you. I worked under his lead for 2 years which at the MC is a lifespan for many EMT's or medics. But in that short period of time, amazing lessons were taught to not only myself but my colleagues and practiced everyday. 

Simple things on leadership: and how it's much easier to achieve a desired result when you ask and not demand from those who work for you. 

Acceptance: and how we are all in this job together. Yes there is that breaking in of the new guy, but you were accepted by him unless you proved yourself otherwise. 

Accountability: a boss that would back you up 100% to the end, as long as you acted in good faith, but also give you the opportunity to take the initiative and prove yourself. Not just someone who would stand by and watch you drown in your own mistakes, but rather the first person to throw you a life ring.

Kindness: how he would find you at 2 am just to ask how things are going with school or if you needed any references for that 2nd job you were applying for to make ends meet. Maybe it was that text message making sure you were feeling okay and if you needed anything when you called out sick. 

It seems like simple things, but to those who have worked under such a great leader, it things that make you want to perform better as a person. They make you want to push yourself harder so that you may continue on the legacy of this person. It's been 2 years Rich, not a day goes by that myself and the rest of the d-team do not miss coming in and being greeted by your caring and warm personality. 

We all know that you are watching over us and making sure we do the right thing. That we go where you want us to go, and that we are there in the right places and the right times. More importantly that when the times get tough, we pull together the way you would want is to. Rest easy chief, we will continue to handle down here. 

Tour Chief Richard "Richie" Lopez 

JCMC 226

EOW 01/21/2013