Conversations with Jeff Stephens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Stephens.

Hi Jeff, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I grew up in the West End of Montrose County, living in Norwood, Nucla, Uravan, and Paradox. When the uranium mining shut down in 1984, I worked odd jobs, then joined the USMC in Jan. 1986.

I have 3 tours overseas, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After their honorable discharge, returned to Western Colorado, working construction field, driving a truck, and eventually began as a volunteer EMT with Nucla Naturita EMS starting winter of 1999.

Improved to EMT-I in 2001, accepted a full-time position with NNEMS as EMS Manager in 2016.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? No. The combat wasn’t smooth. I was a single parent of three girls from 1993 onwards, nothing smooth about that either. Married current wife (Tonya) in 2001. Working construction and volunteering in EMS often resulted in 24+ hour days of work and ambulance work.

COVID was a bastard. I ended up being on duty or at a minimum on call every single day/night for 18 consecutive months. Nothing worthwhile is easy, I don’t mind the struggles.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Emergency Medical Services provides advanced life support coverage 24/7 for a small, remote community that has no hospital, and a minimal clinic that is only open during daylight business hours.

I have no specific source of pride. Nothing sets me apart from anyone else. We’re all on the same journey together, each with a different role to play.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes. Don’t trust government directives. Fear is a powerful motivator.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nnvfdems.wixsite.com/website