First responders say working in N.L. comes with unique challenges
The recent death of a paramedic at Cape Spear in St. John's has people talking about the psychological issues faced by first responders in the province and the need for greater services to help them.
In the tragedy's aftermath, former and current first responders in the province are hoping the public will be more aware of the unique circumstances they face and the problems that can arise after a traumatic incident — such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
"Newfoundland and Labrador is a small community," said Vince MacKenzie, fire chief in Grand Falls Windsor.
"The likelihood of first responders responding to incidents involving family, relatives friends or colleagues is very real."
While he said there are more services in place these days compared to a decade or two ago, such as the Critical Incident Stress Management program, he said the notion still exists that those who work in the profession should just be tough enough to deal with it.
"The stigma of a first responder or a person in the military is someone who is supposed to be tough and handle anything," he told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.
"At the end of the day, the stigma is something we do have to remove."
Paramedic says not enough supports for those in private sector
While attitudes towards mental problems such as PTSD may be changing, a man who previously worked as a paramedic in Newfoundland thinks those who work for private firms are being neglected.
"I felt like I wasn't getting the support that I needed," said Kyle Fraser, who worked for years as a paramedic for an ambulance company in small rural town in the province before leaving to work in Nova Scotia.
"Most of the time you're just told to 'suck it up," and "this is what you do.'"
He said now that he is working on the mainland, he is given time off if needed, and people are on standby to council and talk to him and members of his family if necessary.
Fraser said while working in Newfoundland, he was afraid to advocate for himself or speak up out of fear of being let go.
He said the conditions that he was working in led to extreme stress which went unchecked without the proper supports.
"There were bad days when I'd work 18-20 hours on the road continuously, you'd be away from your family and get compensated for eight," he said.
"Fatigue was a huge issue. We don't have a voice, don't have a union. Safety is put in the back corner."