Over a dozen first responders called to Christmas tragedy at Boston parking garage

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By Wale Aliyu

BOSTON — Eight EMTs, four paramedics, two supervisors and one member of the special operations team responded to the Christmas Day tragedy at a Boston parking garage where a woman and two young children were found unconscious and later pronounced dead.

Some of these first responders had to see bodies and even provide care. Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association tells Boston 25 News, unfortunately, it knows this kind of trauma will leave scars on first responders. The association, the police force, and even the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team Network tell us they will be committed to caring for those who had to witness it and will make resources available to assist any member in need.

Former Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey says he expects every single person who responded to the tragedy will undergo at least one assessment and perhaps many more for those who show signs of need.

“It’s going to be in their minds for their careers and that is something the police department has to work very hard to do a critical debrief with these officers to make sure the images they saw, the thoughts they have, are dealt with. And they are dealt with tomorrow, next week, next month, and even seven, 12-15 years from now. Those are the type of incidents to go into a first responders mind and build up and they build up to the point where police are leading professions right now in suicide,” said Linskey.

>> Burden of the Badge: The alarming rate of suicide among first responders

Linskey says the reasons we see tragedies like this on holidays may be because you’re often bringing families together and if there is any tension in those families, those tensions will play out. He says in his experience, he often sees alcohol or mental illness play a role.

You are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, know there is help. There are local and national resources available: