Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Recognizes Outstanding Bravery of Paramedics
Eighteen paramedics will receive Ontario's top honours for their outstanding bravery.
In an inaugural ceremony, 18 paramedics will be recognized for acts of exceptional courage - performed on the job or off-duty - in the face of grave personal danger.
The recipients to receive the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery include:
- Paramedics who intervened to assist victims of the Danzig Street and Eaton Centre shootings in Toronto
- An off-duty paramedic who pulled victims of a capsized boat to safety in the face of metre-high waves and powerful wind gusts
- Two paramedics who intervened in a violent fight between an undercover police officer and a dangerous suspect
- An off-duty paramedic who left her own vehicle to single-handedly rescue another driver from a burning car.
The Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery will be presented annually.
Supporting the work of paramedics is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is providing patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Quick Facts:
- In 2012, about 1.3 million ambulances were dispatched and about 970,000 patients were transported in Ontario.
- In Ontario, there are three levels of paramedics: Primary Care Paramedics, Advanced Care Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics.
- Paramedics undertake rigorous pre-service training through a two-year college or university-based training program and are regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"I’m proud to honour eighteen outstanding paramedics through Ontario’s new Award for Paramedic Bravery. Paramedics play a critical role in the health and safety of Ontarians, providing life-saving care in highly stressful situations. Today's awards reflect our recognition of paramedics’ exceptional commitment to their communities and our gratitude for their selfless service."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"Today we recognize the remarkable courage of these eighteen paramedics and their dedication to keeping our communities safe. We are grateful for the compassion, caring and commitment to public service of Ontario’s paramedics that makes Ontario a safer, stronger place to live."
— Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
"Paramedics play a central role on the front lines of Ontario’s health care system. The province’s new Award for Paramedic Bravery not only honours the outstanding bravery of these eighteen paramedics, it also provides us with an opportunity to recognize and thank the thousands of paramedics across the province who serve the public every single day."
— Norm Gale, President of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs and Chief of Superior North Emergency Medical Services
Media Contacts:
David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division
416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
1-866-532-3161
Media Line
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media.moh@ontario.ca
Shae Greenfield
Minister’s Office
416-325-5230
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