MONCTON – The widow of one of three RCMP officers who were shot and killed last June in Moncton is putting her support behind a bill that would speed up treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders.
Angela Gevaudan’s husband, Cst. Fabrice Gevaudan, was killed in Moncton’s north end on June 4.
In a letter addressed to the N.B. Premier, Gevaudan shared her personal struggles with PTSD following her husband’s death.
She also outlined the importance of helping first responders get quick treatment for PTSD.
“The first responders of this province deserve to be supported by their government in quantifiable ways and this is one of them,” she wrote.
“Bill 15 will give first responders the time and breathing room they require to be able to work through their PTSD and once again become contributing members of the community.”
Bill 15 would amend the Workers’ Compensation Act to presume that PTSD diagnosed in first responders is related to the workplace unless proven otherwise.
The amendment would help speed up treatment for people who need it.
Al Mitton is president of the Moncton Firefighters’ Association and believes some PTSD cases have been so serious, people have died.
“We’ve experienced two suicides in our department as well as retirements as a result of PTSD,” he said.
“Unfortunately there are hoops you have to jump through, so treatment is delayed.”
Mitton said Gevaudan’s letter adds an important voice to improving treatment for PTSD.
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