25 May Marking a Milestone: Ontario Awards First Medal for Paramedic Bravery
We’re thrilled to announce that the Ontario government has presented 10 paramedics from across the province with the inaugural Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery. This marks an important milestone as it’s the first time paramedics have been recognized in this way.
The medals were given out at a special ceremony held at Queen’s Park last night. The paramedics were honoured for their extraordinary acts of bravery, such as moving a crashed plane to rescue passengers, diving into Lake Ontario to save a drowning man, preventing a suicide attempt, rescuing an unconscious cliff diver, saving fellow first responders during a gas line explosion, and rescuing workers from a collapsed building.
Her Honour the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell expressed gratitude on behalf of the province, acknowledging the bravery of first responders she has witnessed firsthand. She commended the paramedics for their commitment, courage, and service, recognizing the unpredictable nature of their work.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones recognized the unwavering dedication paramedics exemplify in protecting the people of Ontario and was proud to celebrate their contributions to community safety.
“The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) is elated to have been part of the advocacy to create this Paramedic Medal of Bravery. Today is a momentous day as these are the first paramedics ever to be presented with the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery elevating the level of honour and respect for their extraordinary acts of courage and the risks they faced,” said Chief Michael Sanderson, President of the OAPC. “As we celebrate Paramedic Services Week and its theme of diversity in paramedicine, we’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize our diverse force of paramedics and their extraordinary dedication to serving the many unique communities throughout Ontario.”
We extend our congratulations to the paramedics who have received this recognition. Their stories are a testament to their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. See and download photos from the event here.
And the recipients are:
Paramedic Kimberley Fitzsimmons – Frontenac Paramedic Services
On August 2, 2022, while off-duty, Primary Care Paramedic Kimberley Fitzsimmons was toweling off after a swim in Lake Ontario when she spotted a man thrashing and then submerging into the water. Paramedic Fitzsimmons immediately dove into the water to rescue the man, who had sunk 15 feet to the bottom of the lake. After surfacing with the unconscious man, Paramedic Fitzsimmons swam them both to a nearby beach. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and without any PPE, she immediately began performing life-saving measures. She continued CPR until first responders arrived and took the man to hospital. Even while off-duty, Paramedic Fitzsimmons put herself in harm’s way to save a stranger’s life.
Paramedic Steven Kawamura – Hamilton Paramedic Services
While responding to a call on October 9, 2021, Advanced Care Paramedic Steve Kawamura encountered a suicidal man yelling and running towards the ledge of a highway overpass. Sprinting to the man, Paramedic Kawamura was able to grab the man’s leg just as he launched himself over the barricade. Even after pulling the man back to safety, the man responded with physical violence in his distressed state. Paramedic Kawamura and his partner were able to restrain the man until police arrived. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Paramedic Kawamura intervened just in time to save the man’s life.
Paramedic Beatrice Frasca – Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service
On October 20, 2021, off-duty Advanced Care Paramedic Beatrice Frasca was enjoying a hike with her friends at Bruce Peninsula National Park when she noticed a group of men preparing to cliff jump from the Grotto into the water below. While dangerous in even ideal weather conditions, the water currents that day were strong and cold enough to induce sudden shock. Despite Paramedic Frasca’s shouted warnings, the men jumped. Two emerged but one was unresponsive. Risking their own safety, Paramedic Frasca and a friend quickly climbed down the steep and slippery cliff edge to rescue the unconscious man. They dragged him back to the shore and Paramedic Frasca provided care until emergency services arrived. Despite their brave efforts, the man did not survive, but their quick actions were able to assist the two other men who were suffering from cold exposure.
Paramedics Philip Adams and David Jeffries – Middlesex-London Paramedic Service
On the night of August 14, 2019, Paramedics Philip Adams and David Jeffries responded to a call after a vehicle crashed into a home. At the scene, a damaged gas line quickly ignited causing a massive explosion, destroying several homes and injuring almost everyone present. Despite the fiery, debris-filled scene, Paramedics Adams and Jeffries stayed cool under pressure to triage, treat, and transport the police and fire personnel injured from the blast. As a result of their heroic actions, all six first responders and one civilian received medical attention for their injuries and survived.
Deputy Chief Adam Bennett, Paramedic Josh Hill and Superintendent Michael Hurst – Middlesex-London Paramedic Service
On December 11, 2020, Deputy Chief Adam Bennett, Advanced Care Paramedic Josh Hill and Operations Superintendent Michael Hurst responded to the partial collapse of an under-construction residential building. At the scene, several construction workers were trapped under rubble, while others were covered in wet cement. Despite the risk of the building further collapsing, the three paramedics entered the area without hesitation. Deputy Chief Bennett and Superintendent Hurst assessed the trapped workers and coordinated their extraction and transportation, where possible. Paramedic Hill tried to stabilize another worker who had been trapped under rubble for several hours, helping to extricate and care for him during transport to the hospital. Tragically, one worker died while still trapped and another died shortly after, but because of their courageous efforts, five workers were safely rescued.
Paramedics Stephen Welsh and Maciej Wisniewski – Ottawa Paramedic Services
On September 4, 2021, Primary Care Paramedics Stephen Welsh and Maciej Wisniewski were called to the scene after a passenger plane collided with a hydroelectric pole and crash-landed in a nearby field. The plane landed upside-down with a ruptured fuel tank, leading to bush fires in the surrounding area. The two passengers on the plane, soaked in fuel and suffering extensive injuries, were trapped inside the aircraft as the fires quickly approached.
With resourcefulness and quick thinking, Paramedics Welsh and Wisniewski recruited bystanders and a police officer at the scene to help rotate the plane into an upright position. The paramedics were able to extract the two passengers while Ottawa Fire Department contained the fire.
The passengers were transported to hospital and treated for their injuries. A tragic situation was avoided because of Paramedic Welsh and Wisniewski’s timely and courageous actions.