Denver Paramedics Gather to Honor Fallen Colleague

Editor's note: If you're depressed, despondent or considering suicide, please seek help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255; it offers additional resources at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Help is also available through the Tema Conter Memorial Trust, 888-288-8036, www.tema.ca. For more information visit the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, www.ffbha.org, and see last year's EMS World story on responder PTSD and suicide, www.emsworld.com/article/12009260. 

DENVER—Denver's EMS providers, firefighters and police officers gathered Tuesday night at Denver Health to honor Debbie Crawford, a long-time paramedic who died over the weekend.

Crawford, who had worked as a paramedic since the 1980s, reportedly committed suicide mere hours after responding to a fatal accident between a light rail train and a pedestrian, according to a report from FOX31.

“Tonight we’re here to honor her memory, and to carry that memory forward,” said Scott Bookman, chief paramedic at Denver Health.

Crawford was more than just a paramedic; she was also a mentor to many in the city’s mental health community.

Denver Health released a statement on Tuesday afternoon:

“We recognize working in the emergency medical services field can be stressful, and the Paramedic Division is committed to providing support and resources for our staff,” a statement released by Denver Health Tuesday afternoon noted. “A peer support team has been in place and recently a committee was formed to provide education about prevention and identification, as well as resources and support for team members who may be struggling. Deb was the chair of the committee and felt passionately about this work, which will continue in her honor.”