ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left a profound emotional toll on first responders in Black River, St. Elizabeth, as revealed in interviews conducted on Thursday. Many of these individuals, including firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers, expressed deep psychological scars from their experiences during the storm. Despite their training to manage high-stress situations, the intensity of the hurricane overwhelmed them, leaving many visibly shaken and reluctant to speak on record. Some simply shook their heads or buried their faces in their hands, unable to articulate the trauma they endured. Among those who spoke anonymously, the word ‘traumatized’ was repeatedly used to describe their state of mind. Firefighters Francis and Roach, who requested anonymity and that their faces not be shown, recounted harrowing tales of back-to-back rescues amidst the terror of surging floodwaters and relentless winds. Their accounts paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional challenges faced by those on the front lines of disaster response. (Video: Dana Malcolm)