(Toronto) – Recently, 73 Ontario paramedics received their Governor General Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal bars for providing exemplary emergency medical services for 30, 40, and 50 years. The Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, presented the First, Second, or Third Bars to these long-serving, deserving paramedics. In 1994, as part of the Canadian Honours System, the late Governor General of Canada, Romeo LeBlanc, created the Medal. This award recognizes paramedics who have provided the highest standard of care and conduct. To qualify, at least ten years of service must have been in the field, on duty, involving potential risk. Each Bar to the Exemplary Service Medal represents an additional award of the Medal. Paramedics who have served for at least thirty years receive their First Bar, forty years their Second Bar, and for fifty years, their Third Bar.
The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs is the voice of paramedic leadership in Ontario. Our organization promotes a culture of change surrounding paramedicine that is guided by evidence-based decision-making and seeks best practices in the provision of paramedic services. The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs represents the Paramedic Services leadership in 56 Designated Delivery Agents (DDA), consisting of regional, county, and municipal governments, and District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) across Ontario. Our members also include Ornge and the six First Nations Emergency Medical Services. Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs members oversee the work of 14,500 primary, advanced, and critical care paramedics across the Province.
