EDITOR'S NOTE: This article contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing.
Public-area memorials leave a lasting impact on the mental health of local paramedics and other first responders, says a local EMS leader.
Jean Carriere is the chief paramedic for the Cochane District EMS. At the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) meeting on Thursday (Sept. 21) he talked about putting a 60-day limit on memorials.
Public memorials can range from roadside installations to displays in parks, for example, often including flowers, photographs and items of sentimental value installed by loved ones.
“We want to respect the victims and the people who were involved in this. So, we're not saying no to having memorials; what we're saying is that it should be time-limited,” Carriere said.
Some municipalities have bylaws requiring the memorials to be taken down if a memorial is impeding construction or roadwork. In the City of Timmins, for example, the obstructing and encumbering of streets bylaw would only apply to roadside memorials if it affects the city's ability to complete services such as snow removal or obstructs the safe use of the roadway or line of sight.
No municipality has implemented a bylaw based on the mental health of first responders, said Carriere.
“I haven't worked front-line in 15 years. I drive by a part of our highway in the City of Timmins, there's a cross on the side of the road that every time I drive by, I think of the poor lady whose body parts were strewn all over the road, who was very well known in our community, and the impact that had on the community and her family,” he said.
“I have to relive that every time I drive by. I remember the smells. I remember finding the car seat in the back seat and not knowing if there was a baby. It was terrible.”
Carriere, who’s one of the executives of the Ontario Paramedic Chiefs Association, said they sent a letter to the Ministry of Transportation requesting that they limit the amount of time memorials are on the side of highways while highlighting the importance of the mental health of paramedics.
“The response that we got was that the Minister of Transportation makes sure that memorials on the side of highways are safe and they don't impede traffic. They missed the point of the consideration of the mental health of our first responders,” he said.
“We got thinking between the paramedic chiefs and we're like, you know what, maybe we didn't start this the right way. Instead of starting at the top of the province, maybe we need to start with our municipalities.”
Carriere said he’s received so much gratitude from staff for bringing this topic to light.
“I'm bringing this up because it impacts me and it's something that we can change; 15 years that memorial's been there. I've been to so many accidents where people have passed away. Tragic things. On these other highways, when I drive by and there's no memorial, it’s just another piece of highway. But when I drive by this section, it reminds me of this tragedy,” he said.
According to Carriere, they have a high rate of WSIB claims and have had suicides within their staff.
“It's time that while respecting the victims and what goes on, that we make a difference and show the respect to the paramedics and the first responders that we have in our communities,” he said.
Carriere asked board members to bring the idea forward to each of their individual communities.
“All I ask from the board is the support that we encourage our municipalities to implement a similar bylaw,” he said.
