The County of Northumberland is pleased to announce Susan Brown as the successful candidate in the recruitment process to fill the role of Chief of Northumberland Paramedics.

With 28 years of progressive experience in the field of Paramedicine, Chief Brown is a dynamic leader focused on innovation and quality assurance in service delivery, mentorship and development of staff, and strengthening professional practice within Ontario’s paramedic services.

Over the course of her career, she has contributed actively to the evolution of the profession and, as the county's first female paramedic chief, she joins the small but growing group of women who have achieved the highest rank in Ontario’s paramedic services.

“It is an honour to accept this new role leading an exceptional group of paramedics who strive every day to deliver industry-leading pre-hospital health care for our community,” Chief Brown said in the announcement.

“I look forward to working with the team to advance important initiatives like the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland collaboration, the Community Paramedicine program and the Peer Support mental health program for our first responders, and to collaborating with community partners to strengthen local first response and critical care networks.”

Prior to her new role, Chief Brown served for the last five years as Deputy Chief of Operations with Northumberland Paramedics. In this role, she led the strategic development, implementation and ongoing review of the service’s Deployment Plan for addressing the community’s pre-hospital health-care needs, using data trends to forecast requirements and ensure effective resource management over the long-term.

A staunch advocate for first responder mental-health resources, she was instrumental in establishing PTSD and Peer Support programs for Northumberland paramedics, including the formation of a partnership in 2019 with Wounded Warriors Canada – a mental-health service provider with programs specifically designed for Canadian veterans and first responders.

In addition to pre-hospital health-care roles with several paramedic services, Chief Brown has supported advancements in paramedic professional practice through her contributions to such Ministry of Health committees as the Peer Ministry of Health Review Team and education review committees. She also serves as a part-time faculty member at Loyalist College, supporting the development and education of future paramedics.

Since 2008, Chief Brown has held the role of Inspector, appointed by the Ministry of Health to conduct reviews of paramedic services across Ontario to ensure compliance with the Ambulance Act and related regulations.

Possessing a passion for life-long learning, Chief Brown holds two university degrees – a B.A in Kinesiology from Western University and B.A in Health Science (Pre Hospital Care) from Charles Sturt University – along with certificates in human resources management, municipal management, and leadership studies.

Northumberland CAO Jennifer Moore said they are thrilled to welcome Chief Brown to her new role.

“Possessing a breadth of experience in strategic operations, quality assurance, training and program development, Susan will leverage her considerable skill to lead staff, reinforce community partnerships, and advance core priorities for the paramedic service that will contribute to a strong and vibrant Northumberland,” Moore stated. 

“We look forward to the energy and skill that she will bring to this position.”