Stressed paramedics face flashbacks, alcoholism

Paramedics' work makes them susceptible to post-traumatic stress, but they tend not to seek the help they need to deal with it, emergency workers were told Friday.

Jullette Saussy, the director of emergency medical services in New Orleans, was invited to speak to paramedics gathered in Halifax about her experience during hurricane Katrina. Her lecture was sponsored by the Tema Conter Memorial Fund, an organization named after the Halifax native who was murdered in Toronto in 1988.

Saussy talked about the toll that dealing with destruction can have on paramedics, who are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency.

Saussy said the tragedy of hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, has helped paramedics in that city come forward for help and keep responding to every 911 call.

"Certainly when you ask for help you're somewhat vulnerable," she said, "so we've created hopefully an environment where they can ask for help. And they do."

• INDEPTH: Hurricane Katrina timeline

One of the people speaking at the session was Vince Savoia, the paramedic who was called to the Tema Conter murder scene in 1988. Since then, he has been trying to draw attention to the fact that many paramedics must live day to day with the effects of trauma.

"You'll experience flashbacks, both while you're awake and while you're asleep. You'll have the urge to consume more alcohol or drugs," he told the group.

Most first responders do not know how to ask for help, he added.

Savoia urged Canadian medical chiefs to rally together to create a program for paramedics living with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Tema Conter Memorial Trust will be presenting a model treatment program to emergency services medical chiefs in Canada next year.

• OFFICIAL SITE: Tema Conter Memorial Trust