Workmates pay tribute to Agard’s 44 years of service

by Shamar Blunt

A job well done.

This was the glowing sentiment shared by many colleagues of the soon to be retired David Agard, as his over four decades of serve to Barbados’ Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) comes to a close this month with his retirement.

During a surprise celebration in his honour today at the EAS’ Wildey, St Michael headquarters, his past and present workmates came together in person, and virtually, to show their appreciation to the man who they know as being a silent, but dedicated worker in his craft.

 

Agard began working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital back in 1976 as an orderly, and after eight years of service there, transitioned to the then new EAS organisation, where he remained for the next 36 years.

His former EMT partner, Barbara Went, gave a video tribute to Agard, and said though he was always quiet, he was always astute and knowledgeable when it came to his daily duties on the job.

“When I joined the service in 1985, I found David Agard there. All of the years I worked at the ambulance service, David remained the same; very quiet, willing to work, gave
of his best, easy-going, not one to say much [but] he loved a good laugh. If David was given a joke, you could stand from a mile [away] and hear David.

“He was knowledgeable about the job and he applied what he knew into the job,” she remarked.

Ambulance officer Wendy Cadogan recalled meeting Agard when they both began working at the EAS together when the organization was first formed in 1984. Cadogan said that despite any stressful situations they might have encountered while carrying out their tasks, Agard remained calm at all times.

“To me David is one of the persons that has never changed. There are persons who when they get into job become complacent, but David was never complacent.

David was the person, if you were with him as a partner, you have no problems in terms of writing a report.

If you were going on a call you never had any problems in terms of finding your location, David was always on top of his game.

“If he is not your partner, and he is on another shift you are relieving, to take a vehicle from him was like no worries.

“David was impeccable, he cleans a vehicle…if David says it is good to go, you can go, and to me that is what we need from persons in this kind of field. Not just because of COVID, but that is something we should be doing. David is a model EMT, he has the attributes we should all endeavour to aspire to,” she added.

Agard, who was at a loss for words at the surprise, said he was thankful for the years he spent at the EAS, and wished the organisation continued success in the future.

“I am very thankful for everything that was done, don’t mind I was tricked, I appreciate everything that was done and I give thanks to everyone. I also which the ambulance service success in the future, and I wish you the best,” Agard said.