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Three Halton paramedics awarded exemplary service medals

Governor General's medal recognizes paramedics who have provided the highest quality of care for 20 years or more
Julie Slack
Julie Slack

Three Halton paramedics are among 166 in the province to receive exemplary service medals this fall.

The Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) awarded the paramedics the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal in Kingston. These paramedics come from 38 of the province’s 56 paramedic services.

Halton Deputy Chief Sarah Francom and paramedics Cassandra Bell and Rory Jackson were recognized. Francom has been a paramedic/paramedic leader for 23 years, while Bell has 21 years of service and Jackson, 24 years of service.

“On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, the OAPC is honoured to present the medal to so many dedicated paramedics in Ontario,” said OAPC president, Chief Michael Sanderson. “Paramedics in Ontario have demonstrated every day the caring and compassion they have for their communities. It’s an honour to recognize these exemplary members.”

The award is presented to paramedics who have served for at least 20 years providing the highest quality of care. To qualify, at least 10 of the years of service must have been on duty in the field – whether on the street or in the air - involving potential risk to the individual. Nominees can be currently active, retired or deceased. 

The Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1994 by the late Governor General Romeo LeBlanc, as a component of the Canadian Honours System. Since the award’s inception, there have been some 3,338 Ontario recipients of the medal and bars.