PEMBROKE — At October’s session of the County of Renfrew Heath Committee Chair Councillor Janice Visneskie Moore conveyed her congratulations to five of the county’s paramedics.
Chief Paramedic Michael Nolan was pleased to present four of the County of Renfrew Paramedics who were honoured at the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) with Exemplary Service Awards for 2015 at the recent meeting. Paramedics; Chris Kulas, Mark Blaskie, Edward Byers and Leo Boland each received the Governor General of Canada Exemplary Service Medal at the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Ceremony.
The Governor General makes Exemplary Service Medals available for Paramedics as part of the Canadian Honours Program. The Award was created in 1994 and is available to paramedics who have served for at least 20 years in a meritorious manner and have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by the highest standards of good conduct, industry and efficiency.
In addition to the four Exemplary Service Awards, Paramedic Robert Dodge was commended on his receiving the N.H. McNally Award of Courage. On August 15, 2014, off duty paramedic Robert Dodge was driving through the Town of Perth. He came upon the submerged vehicle of a 17 year-old girl who had lost control on a gravel road and, as it entered the Tay River, flipped over. Witnesses to the incident were yelling instructions to the trapped driver from shore. Paramedic Dodge came upon the scene and entered the frigid water as the vehicle was sinking in the current. He reacted quickly and deliberately, backing his truck up to the edge of the water and attaching ropes to the vehicle and his truck, pulling the upside down vehicle out of the water to more stable ground to evacuate the victim. The cab of the vehicle had been full of water for a few minutes by this time. Paramedic Dodge broke the window of the vehicle using his trailer hitch, determined the girl to be lifeless and immediately started to resuscitate her. He was soon joined by a passing physician and continued to provide CPR until the arrival of Lanark County Paramedics. Mr. Dodge joined the paramedics and the patient to Hospital while they continued to treat the patient. Chief Nolan was pleased to advise the committee that as a result of Paramedic Dodge’s heroic efforts and skilled resuscitation, the young woman has made a full recovery.
At the OAPC Gala on September 24, Paramedic Robert Dodge received the N.H. McNally Award of Courage.
Coun. Visneskie-Moore said to the paramedics, “The Health Committee and County Council continue to acknowledge the excellent service that our paramedics provide to our community on a daily basis. Today, it is my great pleasure to commend these five gentlemen on their extraordinary service. Keep up the fantastic work. We are very proud of these wonderful achievements and your commitment to us every day.”
