Dear Editor,

Jamaica needs to seriously examine the development of a coordinated emergency medical response system involving firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and ambulance services. Such a system could provide a structured and professional response to emergencies, including motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes; chopping and stabbing incidents; drowning; sudden seizures; serious illnesses; and other medical emergencies occurring at home, work, school, communities, and in public spaces.

For far too long, people in emergency situations have been treated like dead animals. Many of them are transported by being thrown in the back of police vehicles, taxis, or other unsuitable means of transport because there is no readily available alternative. While people are often acting with the best intentions, good intentions without the proper training can unintentionally make a serious injury worse.

For example, following a motor vehicle crash, a person could suffer a spinal injury, broken ribs, or internal injuries. The way that person is moved or even whether they should be moved at all can have serious consequences. An untrained person may simply lift the injured individual and place them in a vehicle or move them unnecessarily, potentially worsening the injury and reducing their chances of survival.

I believe Jamaica should, therefore, begin exploring the possibility of establishing a national emergency response service, properly equipped and staffed with trained personnel. Ideally, unless there is an immediate danger at the scene, members of the public should be encouraged not to unnecessarily move or manipulate an injured person before trained responders arrive.

I also believe there is room for a structured community emergency volunteer programme. Volunteers could receive basic emergency-response training, including CPR, first aid, and how to safely assist someone until professional responders arrive. When appropriate, verified volunteers who provide assistance could receive a small stipend or recognition based on a report from the responding emergency team.

I understand that Jamaica may not have the financial resources to establish fully equipped emergency response units in every parish immediately. But we have to start somewhere. We could begin in selected high-risk areas, such as St Ann and Westmoreland; evaluate the programme; strengthen it over time; and gradually expand it across the island. This would also benefit the tourists.

There is a lot more to explore, such as training, despatch systems, emergency numbers, ambulance coverage, equipment, response times, volunteer certification, uniforms, and coordination among the various agencies, but these are simply my thoughts.

Jamaica should aspire to build an emergency medical response system that reflects the value we place on human life. We cannot continue to accept situations in which people in desperate need of medical attention are transported in whatever vehicle happens to be available.

We should aim higher. We should aim to be First-World in how we respond when someone’s life is on the line.

Trecia Harris-Smiley

Ocho Rios, St Ann

treciahsmiley1945@gmail.com