Paramedics Awarded Exemplary Service Medals
They risk their lives to ensure the health and safety of Nova Scotians and today, Sept. 9, 11 paramedics with Emergency Health Services (EHS) were honoured with the Exemplary Service Medal for Emergency Medical Services.
The awards were presented by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis at Government House in Halifax.
"Pre-hospital emergency medical services are critical to the Canadian health care system," said the lieutenant governor. "Today, we recognize those silent heroes who work selflessly and tirelessly to save lives."
The medal is part of a national recognition program for people who work in high-risk professions that enhance Canada's public safety through long and outstanding service.
The 2010 recipients of the Exemplary Service Medal for Emergency Medical Services are:
- Graham McAllister, Lower Sackville
- James Currie, Shelburne
- John Garth MacDonald, Antigonish
- John Jay, Middleton
- Peter Maillet, Meteghan
- Steve Menzies, Berwick
- Tim Bayers, Kingston
- Todd Mills, Truro Heights
- Tony Eden, Dartmouth
- William (Bill) Brown, North Sydney
- William Curry, Antigonish
"The paramedic profession has advanced significantly over the years to the point where Nova Scotia has the best ground ambulance system in the country and one of the best in North America," said Dave Wilson, MLA and former paramedic, on behalf of Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health. "Achieving this is only possible through the hard work and dedication of our paramedics who are helping ensure better health care for families in every region of Nova Scotia.
"I want to congratulate them on their achievements."
Nominations for the medal are submitted by the provincial awards committee to the national committee. If approved, the national committee submits the applications to the Chancellery, a branch of the Office of the Governor General responsible for the administration of honours. The Chancellery then submits the nominations to the Governor General for approval. 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 officer.
"These awards are a symbol of the hard work and dedication paramedics have brought to the profession over the years," said Lawrence Briand, advanced care paramedic with Emergency Health Services and chair of the awards committee.
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 this award, a paramedic must have been employed with an emergency medical service on, or after, Oct. 31, 1991, and have completed 20 years of exemplary service, including 10 years service in situations of potential risk.