I looked forward to accompanying Pennsylvania Turnpike Safety Advisor John P. Sirrannia on his daily rounds. We planned to meet at 9 a.m. sharp in front of the Turnpike's Eastern Regional Office in King of Prussia. However, at 8:35, John appeared at my office door, Walkie-Talkie in hand, asking me to move quickly -- an accident had just occurred west of the Willow Grove Interchange. We were off and running.

         John is a Lebanon, Pennsylvania native who has served the public most of his adult life. He is an Emergency Medical Technician trained to administer CPR, as well as instruct EMT classes, CPR, First Response, Fire Response and he is a trained HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) worker.
         Patrolling the Turnpike from Morgantown to Lansdale, John constantly scanned both the traffic and the roadway, looking for any possible problems or road hazards. As we approached the scene of the accident, Turnpike Communication Center advised us that no injuries occurred in the accident. John's services were not needed at the scene.
         Our Chevy Blazer, fully equipped with oxygen, first aid supplies and fire extinguishers, came to a halt on the road's shoulder. A Pennsylvania State Trooper (Troop T) was single- handedly warning oncoming traffic to slow down because of the accident up ahead. John jumped from the truck, grabbed his bright orange vest and gave the officer a helping hand at alerting motorists. It struck me that the job of Turnpike Safety Advisor stretches far beyond emergency medical response -- it encompasses all safety concerns on the roadway.
         With this particular emergency under control, we were free to continue patrolling the highway. I asked John what hobbies he pursues in order to counter balance his stressful career. After spotting a disabled vehicle on the side of the road and notifying Turnpike Communications he answered, "I always have projects. My wife and I built our own home in Lebanon -- hammered every nail. Once that was done, I began collecting and refurbishing old juke boxes, pinball and slot machines. I rarely sit still."
         By day John guards the safety of the Turnpike's travelers and its employees. In his off time, he serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Lebanon First Aid and Safety Patrol, and teaches CPR at his local high school. He is involved with the activities of his two young sons, regularly invites foreign exchange students into his home and assists his wife, a Lebanon business owner.
         We pulled into a construction area. "I check all of the construction areas daily within my division. I make sure they are wearing helmets, vests and have displayed the proper signs," he remarked. This site was in total compliance so we moved on to the Devault Maintenance Facility where some hazardous material required inspection.
         On the road once again, John inserted a cassette of Beethoven's most peaceful compositions in the tape player and quietly commented, "I almost quit the medical emergency business once. In a matter of a few days, I responded to a murder-suicide and four code blues (cardiac arrests) and none of the patients survived. I felt so discouraged. But then I delivered a healthy baby on the way to the hospital, and that experience made it all worthwhile."
          John has acquired many memories in his 11 years at the Turnpike, the Blizzards of '93 and '96 being at the top of his list. "When weather conditions become that severe, we work around the clock. Before completing one emergency, another crops up. It's non-stop. If motorists would only learn to slow down and take it easy in dangerous weather, many accidents could be avoided."
          One of John's most vivid memories of the '93 blizzard was a 20-mile back up on the Turnpike because all other roadways had closed and motorists were unable to exit. John received a call regarding a lady experiencing chest pains. She was approximately 2 miles away from John's position. He slowly weaved his way along the road, while motorists backed some of their vehicles up and others moved theirs a few inches forward, attempting to allow John enough leeway to squeeze through.          After 40 stressful minutes, John reached the patient. Truck drivers helped John transfer the woman into the Safety Patrol Car. John planned to drive her to an ambulance that had been dispatched to the Willow Grove Interchange. But as they began their journey, John received another urgent call requesting glucose for a diabetic male, also caught in the back up.
         Once again, weaving in and out of traffic, John made his way to the distressed gentleman, helped him into the Safety Patrol truck and administered the life saving glucose. After reaching the interchange, both patients were transported to a nearby hospital.
         My time with John reminded me that his day includes events that average people seldom see: a child suffering seizures, a motorist having an apparent heart attack, an elderly traveler who had become confused and disoriented. All events were handled with great expertise that could only come through extensive training and experience.
         John Sirrannia is but one of the Turnpike's dedicated Safety Advisors. Safety Manager, Clarence L. Wright, Jr. and his entire staff are the guardian angels of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, quietly making a difference in the lives they touch.