Crooks gets ‘rewarding feeling’ as Westmoreland’s Firefighter of the Year
Guidance counsellor warns firefighters against mental stress
Published:Tuesday | December 26, 2023 | 12:08 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
After more than 14 years serving in the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Sergeant Ryan Crooks of work ethics and standards at the JFB’s Westmoreland Division, has secured for the first time the accolade of Firefighter of the Year.
This honour was conferred during the Westmoreland Fire Brigade Division’s end-of-year banquet and awards dinner, held at Royalton Hotel in Negril on Thursday night.
Crooks, who works as a member of the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Unit, said given the gravity of his job, he feels proud to have been chosen from his fellow firefighters and EMT specialists.
“It is really a rewarding feeling after 14 years and a lot of months in the Jamaica Fire Brigade, serving [the] Westmoreland Division,” Crooks told The Gleaner after collecting his prizes, which also include a weekend for two at Charella Inn Resort.
His other prizes were the Firefighter of the Year Trophy and Firefighter of the Year Shield.
“This is the first that I have been recognised in this light, so I am thrilled and overwhelmed,” he stated.
Quizzed about his most memorable experience throughout his over 14 years, Crooks pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered Jamaica’s and the global economy.
“Each emergency is unique in their own way, but it was a battle working during COVID-19 as a frontier worker attending to medical emergencies,” Crooks recalled, noting that that period has been his most challenging experience as a firefighter.
Two other firefighters were tied as runners-up to Crooks for Firefighter of the Year, Kirkpatrick Lawrence and Adrian McCallum.
McCallum received an evening pass for two to Sandals Negril Beach Resort, while Lawrence received an evening pass for two at the Sunset at the Palms Resort, also in Negril, Westmoreland.
Meanwhile, guidance counsellor Noelle Randal, who gave the keynote address, lauded the men and women of the Jamaica Fire Brigade and urged them to take note of their mental health.
Acknowledging the magnitude of work the country’s firefighters do on a daily basis, including confronting raging fires and carrying out healthcare services as emergency technicians, Randal warned against ignoring issues of mental health.
Mental health
“It is still possible for the human side of you to be overwhelmed after repeated exposure to stress and trauma. Therefore, I must use this opportunity to remind you of the importance of taking care of your mental health,” Randal said.
She noted that while firefighters are expected to remain calm and level-headed, and capable of dealing with most, if not all of the challenging situations, all without fear, Randal warned that if not handled properly, this could affects one’s mental health.
“Most people in the job need to keep a tight hold on their emotions and approach their job with logic and with reason, because when everybody around you is falling apart, you are expected to hold it together,” the guidance counsellor reasoned.
She said that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an issue which is not discussed enough, pointing out that it can leave a lasting negative effect if not treated.
“The effect it has on you as first responders can be devastating and, for those reasons, things like irresponsible behaviours such as unnecessary risks or engaging in abusive medications, drug and alcohol, can occur,” she explained.
Randal said PTSD can also affect relationships. To this end, she encouraged the firefighters to take care of their minds.
“Normalise living guilt-free without struggling. Normalise putting yourself first,” she encouraged. “Additionally, while you are out there taking care of others, saving lives, protecting properties, you also need to be a first responder for yourself.”