EMT responder a credit to Fitz-Henley clan

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am writing in celebration of the life and work of my late son, Ajahmek Fitz-Henley, the acting supervisor of the Turks & Caicos Islands National Emergeny Medical Services. He dedicated his life to saving the lives of others but lost his own life when he died of a heart attack in that country’s hospital, on August 4, 2019.

He was only 36 years old.

Ajahmek was one of nine siblings and a member of Jamaica’s distinguished Fitz-Henley family, originally known for their achievements as court reporters and educators. He is survived by his wife of two years, Crystal; me, his father; and mother, Alicia.

He also leaves behind two brothers, Abka, Yakum; four sisters, Rashona, Jahzema, Iayunda, and Kajamba. Ajahmek was predeceased by his younger sister, Falasha, in 2017, and younger brother, Jambasa.

Throughout Ajahmek’s seven-year tenure with the Turks & Caicos civil service, he played a ­significant role as an emergency medical technician (EMT) instructor. He assisted in the establishment of the department’s first local EMT training programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, and the University of Technology.

Ajahmek’s passion and contributions in emergency care and response continued as he was a volunteer in numerous multisectoral agencies throughout the country such as the Turks and Caicos Islands Search and Rescue Task Force and Urban Search and Rescue Team. He was also a Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross instructor, mass casualty management instructor, certified 911 dispatcher, and Turks and Caicos Islands Fire and Rescue volunteer firefighter.

On December 12, 2018, Ajahmek was promoted to the post of acting supervisor of the National Emergency Medical Services. In his role as acting supervisor of EMS, he had managerial and operational oversight for all EMS Ambulance divisions throughout the islands within the EMS service.

As his father, I am also proud to learn that his Turks and Caicos Government employers, co-workers, and students praised not only his composure while under stress, his stellar emergency medical service skills, but also his courage to risk his life to rescue people in distress.

TREVOR ‘TEKLA MEKFET’ FITZ-HENLEY