Paramedics Receive Exemplary Service Medals
The province honoured nine paramedics today, Sept. 12, for their work to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians. The paramedics were awarded The Exemplary Service Medal for Emergency Medical Services.
Each of the Emergency Health Services paramedics has dedicated their career to preserving Canada's public safety through long and outstanding service. The awards were presented by Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant at Government House in Halifax.
"When tasked with stressful, life-and-death situations, paramedics regularly go above and beyond to deliver better health care to Nova Scotians and their families," said the lieutenant-governor. "They play a vital role in our health care system and deserve recognition."
The medal is part of a national recognition program for people who work in high-risk professions that enhance Canada's public safety.
The 2012 recipients of the Exemplary Service Medal for Emergency Medical Services are:
- Sterling Carter, Amherst
- Gary Dares, Lunenburg
- Peter Hawes, Sherbrooke
- Kevin Huston, Pugwash
- Robert Langille, Pugwash
- Kevin MacMullin, Glace Bay
- Peter Nickerson, Woods Harbour
- Craig Popwell, Sydney
- Bob Veniott, Amherst
"Nova Scotia has the best ground ambulance system in the country and one of the best in North America," said Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson. "As a former paramedic, I'm very proud of these highly-trained, committed paramedics being honoured today. It is because of their hard work that our ambulance system is held in such high regard.
"I'm proud to congratulate all of them for receiving such a prestigious award."
Nominations for the medal are submitted by the provincial awards committee to the national committee, which submits them to the Office of the Governor General. They are then awarded on behalf of The Queen.
The exemplary service medal is also given to people in other public safety professions such as police, corrections, fire rescue services, coast guard and peace officers.
"Recipients receive this honour as national recognition for their unwavering and consistent dedication to the paramedic profession over 20 or more years," said Jeff Fraser, EHS operations director and awards committee member.
The Emergency Medical Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1994 to recognize paramedics who perform their duties in an exemplary manner through good conduct, efficiency and number of years in service.
To be considered for the award, a paramedic must have been employed with an emergency medical service on, or before, Oct. 31, 1991, and have completed 20 years of exemplary service, including 10 years service in situations of potential risk.