Yarmouth area paramedics among those honoured with medals

Fourteen Nova Scotia paramedics including three from the Yarmouth area were presented with the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis, Friday, Sept. 4, at Province House in Halifax.

The Exemplary Service Medals recognize people in high-risk professions who have dedicated themselves to preserving public safety in Canada through long and outstanding service. "These medals provide a tangible thank you from the Crown and all Canadians for the valuable services rendered by the recipients," said the lieutenant-governor. "Their work to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and communities is truly worthy of our highest praise."

The 2009 winners of the Exemplary Service Medal are: -- Albert Walker, Hubbards, Lunenburg Co. -- Glen Diggdon, Pubnico, Yarmouth Co. -- Darrell Bardua, Dartmouth -- Mark Turner, Kentville -- Terry Muise, Yarmouth -- Dean Vokey, Bellville, Yarmouth Co. -- Gary Galley, Berwick -- Frank McPhee, Halifax -- Franklin Johnston, Goodwood, Halifax Regional Municipality -- Prema Cooper, Whites Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality -- Dwayne Semple, Tatamagouche -- Steve Connell, Kentville -- Brian Bunch, New Minas -- Joseph MacDonald, Inverness

These national medals are part of the Canadian honours system and are awarded though the Chancellery of Honours, a branch of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. The Emergency Medical Services Medal is one of the newest in the Exemplary Services Medal family, joining other public safety professions including police, corrections, fire services, Canadian Coast Guard and peace officers. "Awarding this medal gives us the opportunity to thank these paramedics for their work, dedication to the citizens of Nova Scotia and to celebrate our profession," said Lawrence Briand, advanced care paramedic with Emergency Health Services and member of the awards committee.

The Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1994 to recognize professionals in the provision of pre-hospital emergency services who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency rather than only the number of years in uniform.

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 at least 10 years in the performance of duties involving potential risk.

Emergency Health Services is a division of the Department of Health. It is responsible for the continual development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of pre-hospital emergency health services in the province. In November 2004, the province's ground ambulance system became the first Canadian ambulance service accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. It recognizes Nova Scotia's ground ambulance system as the best in Canada and one of the best in North America.