O'Niel Clarke - making a change for everyone

O'niel Clarke, emergency medical technician at the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), is the recipient of The Medical Relief Foundation's EMS Leadership Award for his dedication to improving Jamaica's emergency medical services.

Clarke, who places significant emphasis on volunteerism and being his brother's keeper said he was surprised at the recognition and reiterated, "I have no intention to run away from Jamaica. It's not just about making a change for me, but making a change for everyone - we all benefit then."

The non-profit organisation, based in Modesto, California, has followed Clarke's efforts to raise awareness among as well as to train health and safety professionals, as well as members of the public, in managing emergency situations through the Emergency Medical Services Association of Jamaica (EMSAJ), which he was instrumental in establishing two years ago.

The EMSAJ is an advocacy and lobby for persons working within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector, as well as users of these special services.

Clarke completed a three-month course in emergency medical training, through the Community Health Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona, in 2008.

Clarke, who at the time owned and operated a small nightclub, admits he did not really understand the importance of EMTs or what they did on a daily basis. He essentially expected the course to provide him with basic first-aid training and knowledge, and was thus motivated to register.

However, the post-training internship in which he participated at the Spanish Town Hospital changed his focus and life. "When I went into the hospitals and saw people in need of help - gunshot victims especially, I was very happy that I could be there for these people in crisis. You are often empowered by the doctors and nurses to assist where possible."

"When you fall in love with something, it becomes a part of you and all aspects of your life," he added.

Clarke threw himself into his work as an EMT and gained much-needed experience in all areas as a volunteer at the Spanish Town Hospital, and with the Ministry of Health from 2008 to 2011.

successful delivery

He has been part of the efforts of the Canadian Defence Force's (CDF), with tremendous support from the Canadian High Commission in St Andrew, to increase awareness and improve the capabilities of Jamaica's health and safety practitioners.

In October 2012, more than 100 persons, including members of the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade and nurses, were trained in International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) as part of a CDF mission to Jamaica.

On the heels of the successful delivery of that training workshop, the troops returned to train a smaller group, in February of this year, which included correctional officers and staff of the St Ann's Bay Hospital.

Clarke, who joined the SAJ in 2009 and whose expertise is often relied on by other organisations in conducting training sessions, is heartened by the association's approach to emergency services.

"The SAJ's training and HR managers are very receptive to what I have been doing pointing out that the association's endorsement of first aid, emergency medical training, and ITLS as key components of its employee-training programmes.

Clarke has been integrally involved in delivering the first-aid module of the SAJ's ongoing National Council on technical and vocational education and training training and certification of its stevedores.

He indicated that there remains room for improvement, in terms of health and safety within the shipping industry.

Clarke stated that matters of safety must emanate from a broader, more comprehensive perspective in order to become sufficiently networked, trained and equipped to handle a mass-casualty incident at Kingston's two ports, in particular. However, he described the SAJ as a "bold" organisation, having had the foresight to invest in well-trained personnel and its own equipment. This enables the association to assist in the event of an emergency on the port.

He stated with conviction, and an unmistakable degree of pride in being a part of the development, "The SAJ has one of the most equipped ambulances in Jamaica to effectively deal with a trauma situation. I think we can definitely pat ourselves on the back."