| Tomorrow marks the sombre one-year anniversary of the Carberry bus accident. Our thoughts are with those mourning the unimaginable loss and the first responders who ran to their aide. This traffic collision left an indelible mark on the communities of Carberry and Dauphin, Manitoba, and devastated countless families. Most of us couldn’t even begin to comprehend the magnitude of the scene, let alone prepare to run towards it. That day, our 911 dispatchers answered the call and numerous paramedics attended one of the most tragic scenes of their career. They were joined by a team of health-care professionals who mobilized and responded to this mass casualty. Every single one of these practitioners carried a profound sense of compassion, service and caring for others, and for that, we are forever grateful. Thank you. Thank you to those who took the desperate calls for help. Thank you to the paramedics who descended on the scene. Thank you to those who coordinated patient transport and urgent surgical interventions, and thank you to those who continue to provide rehabilitation and therapies to the critically injured. To all our members who worked this horrific accident, giving everything of yourselves, thank you. We recognize those painful memories will be with you forever. Trauma affects each of us differently and there is no right or wrong response. Please know that you do not have to go through this alone. Take care, Your MAHCP Team |
| We remind you that there are supports and resources available to you: Firstly, if you witnessed this event firsthand and you haven’t already filed a claim with Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB), we encourage you do so. WCB accepts claims for psychological injuries. Whether you have needed to take time off work or not, psychological responses to traumatic events don’t always surface immediately. Filing a claim with WCB will help support a smoother process later should you need to seek financial or other support as a result of the traumatic impact of this incident. Secondly, health-care employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through the benefits plan, and our members can and should access this resource whenever they need to. Lastly, if you would like us to be aware of any specific concerns, reach out to your MAHCP Labour Relations Officer (LRO). If you are unsure of who to contact, please call the MAHCP office at 204-772-0425 or email us and we will be sure to direct your inquiry to the appropriate person. |