‘We are all in it together’
Uniformed Services Gala celebrates work of first responders
They can often get called to the same tragic scene, but seldom get a chance to actually meet or talk things over.
And whether they are police officers, firemen, armed forces, Canadian Coast Guard, Search and Rescue personnel, paramedics, or fish and wildlife enforcement officers who are trained well to do their jobs, they are still human beings who carry feelings and emotions away from the scene.
Responding to a number of traumatic incidents over time can compound these feelings and, if not addressed, lead to mental health concerns such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Recent events in this province — in particular the death of RCMP Cpl. Trevor O’keefe — have highlighted the need to discuss and address issues surrounding PTSD and the need for proper support services for first responders.
Nine years ago, the first Uniformed Services Gala was organized in the province as a way for members of the various agencies to come together in mutual support.
This year’s Uniformed Services Gala will be held Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Surgeon Lt. Cmdr. W. Anthony Paddon Building on The Boulevard in St. John’s. The guest speaker will be CBC’S Fred Hutton.
Retired members and current members of uniformed agencies such as the military, RNC, RCMP, area fire departments, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, paramedics and Canadian Coast Guard and their spouses or partners will attend.
“Everybody has their coping mechanisms when it comes to what we do see and go through, and the different feelings and emotions that you experience on the job,” said RCMP Cpl. Blaine Beaumaster. “Some are better at communicating that than others, however, this atmosphere provides at least that forum to sit in an evening and enjoy each other’s company, share stories if you like, but if not, just look around the room and realize we are all in this together, and you don’t have to stand alone.
“It’s also a get-together for our spouses or partners who are helping us through this journey, and they are able to share their own stories with others in the room that night as well. It’s very important to keep in mind the people who do support us and stand by us each day.”
Each year at the gala there is a small round table set for one off on its own. The lone chair is tilted into the table, which is covered with a spotless, white tablecloth. Included on the table is a single red rose in a glass vase tied with a red ribbon, a red candle and a Bible. It is reserved to honour fallen comrades, and symbolizes that they are present in spirit.
The province’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement division is hosting the event his year.
Superintendent of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Barry White said that is an honour in itself.
“We are really excited this year to be hosting. We are a smaller crew, and across the province we take pride in our job and what we do. I think the biggest thing for us (at the gala) is to be stood shoulder to shoulder with the other men and women in uniform in this province,” he said.
“We do work a lot of times in isolation, but know that there are other resources out there that we can draw upon. Everybody who goes in that room knows we are all wearing a uniform … it might be a different colour, different shoulder flash, but at the end of the day we are all out there trying to accomplish the same job from a public safety and preservation and law enforcement point of view.
“We’ve gotten a lot of great benefit out of it over the years and there are times we may not have certain equipment or resources available for us to do our job, but we know now, from attending these dinners, who we can call up to get that equipment and resources.
“As hosts we are encouraging all men and women, either retired or currently serving, to come out and participate because once you attend one you’ll be back again next year. It’s a great time, a cordial dinner, relaxed environment and it instills a sense of pride in why you started (in this career).”
Organizers say the dinner has gotten bigger and more popular among uniformed services members each year, and they are not aware of a similar event in the country.
RNC Insp. Barry Constantine said the gala is an opportunity for uniformed services members to take some time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
“We don’t always see each other on a day-to-day basis, but it’s good to get together and identify with the other agencies, and as well to get together and support each other and just realize you are not in it alone. It’s nice to get together to celebrate that fact,” Constantine said. “We spend the other 364 days of the year responding and quite often it’s not exactly a lot of fun, so this is an opportunity for us to let our hair down for a little bit, and enjoy the fact that we are first responders, and that we are serving the public and we enjoy doing that.”
Wade Stagg, acting regional director of the Canadian Coast Guard, said it’s his organization’s eighth year taking part in the gala.
For tickets, email Barry White at barrywhite@gov.nl.ca or call 729-2322.