Dear Editor,

I seek an answer as to where we are as a nation.

With the world changing and Jamaica improving in technology, being classified as Third World, it appears we are still behind the eight ball in some respects.

There was a recent report of gunmen in Portmore, St Catherine, attempting to hold up a credit union. A call was made which brought the assigned private security officers to the location. Unfortunately, with the approach of these officers one got shot. The police were eventually called to the scene and, upon arrival, based on a video being circulated, the officer approached the building ready to confront any criminal element(s). Shortly thereafter it was observed that the wounded security officer was being lifted from inside the premises and placed in the rear of a police pickup to be transported to the hospital.

Now, assessing that all available personnel on the scene were tactical responders, it makes me wonder if none had the necessary skill set to handle medical emergencies of this sort.

Considering that, why was there not a Government-assigned ambulance with the trained medical team to administer aid on the way to the hospital. Any report of shooting incidents in many other countries brings out the police’s team to secure the area, then the ambulance team steps in to handle the injured, as well as a fire truck in the event the jaws of life is needed to enter any premises or in the event there is need to cut occupants from a motor vehicle.

I am conscious that in situations as these there may be anxiety, but the respect for life incorporates the right to life in the removal of the injured. Riding within the rear of a tough police pickup with all the shaking due to bad road surfaces may well contribute to ending life. Even moving the injured without, for example, a neck brace, can hamper the individual’s chance of recovery.

We can do better, and have to do better. All first responders are to be trained to administer aid and in the correct way of lifting. This can be achieved by setting better operational standards. The knowledge is out there, and I am sure the resources can be found for these services to be operative. These have to become standard at every 119/811 emergency call. I am making the call for this to become the norm.

My condolence to the security company and the family of the officer who, I understand, died after the incident. Life being what it is, one never knows leaving for work what the end of a day will bring.

Michael Donovan Brown

mikebrown37@gmail.com