James Queenan: Raised in Milpitas, Saving Lives in Milpitas

James Queenan said he knew he wanted to be a firefighter/paramedic by the time he graduated from Milpitas High School.

He was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician at the age of 18. After he earned his paramedic license at 19, he began an internship/job at an ambulance company in Fresno and later worked in Santa Cruz.

It took a few years to get back to Milpitas, but he landed the job in 2002 and has been "serving the people I grew up with and giving back to the community that raised me," he said.  

Milpitas Patch: How often do you run into someone you know during a call?

James Queenan: At least once a shift I run into someone I know. My mom has run a home day care for over 30 years, so we know generations and generations of families in town. My uncle was the assistant principal of the high school, and my aunt taught over at Sinnott Elementary before she retired two years ago. My sister also started her teaching career at Curtner [Elementary], where we both went to school. Knowing people in town makes doing what I do that much more personal.  

Patch: What's it like to respond to calls at Milpitas High where you went to school?

Queenan: It's fun going back, because I know a lot of the teachers that I had who were first-or second-year teachers and are now in administration. Casey McMurray was my Spanish teacher, and he's the assistant principal now. Seeing all of the other staff members and pictures on the walls brings back great memories.  As a former student, I take great pride in serving all of the students and faculty. 

Patch: Next October will mark your 10th year since you joined the Milpitas Fire Department. Do you have any calls that stand out?

Queenan: One of the experiences that stands out in my mind was being part of the Wildland Fire Strike Team in 2008. Milpitas sent one engine company as part of their state mutual aid to the Butte Lightning Complex Fires. It was great working alongside other firefighters from all over California. Every day was a unique challenge from cutting fire lines to protecting neighborhood’s from approaching fires. The camaraderie amongst our profession is unmatched. We were all overwhelmed with the outpouring of thanks and appreciation we received.  

Patch: You save lives for a living. What's your perspective on this as a career?

Queenan:  There is no greater honor than to bring life into this world and to bring it back when it was lost. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen perfectly all of the time. But it’s what keeps me training, learning and at the ready for that next call. 

Patch: You have a 2-year-old son. Would you like for him to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in fire?

Queenan:  I would love for him to follow in my footsteps. It is a great career. But more importantly, I want him to find his own passion for his life. I want him to experience what it’s like to be part of something great. To work hard, play hard and contribute to something he believes in. I can’t wait to share my experiences with him.   

Patch: Why did you leave the Bay Area for Fresno?

Queenan: It wasn’t my first choice to leave the Bay Area. I was really focused after graduating from high school. I got my EMT certificate and paramedic license within a year of that. At 19, American Ambulance was the only place that would grant me an internship. Local ambulance companies required you to be a minimum age of 21 for insurance purposes. Fresno also had a reputation for being an intense, high call-volume system where beginning paramedics could gain a ton of experience in a short period of time. Some of the calls I ran down in Fresno have been the most intense and challenging of my entire career.  

Patch: Milpitas doesn't have an emergency room. When the ambulance shows up, where are we likely to go?

Queenan: There are several hospitals within Santa Clara County.  Our closest hospital is Regional Medical Center. The closest Kaiser Emergency room is in Santa Clara. But there are several other hospitals in the area. Some medical conditions require specific care. Patients complaints are categorized by  stroke, heart attack, trauma, burns and pediatrics. For patients in severe distress the fire department paramedic predetermines the hospital destination for the most appropriate type of definitive care.