Seven Northumberland Paramedics receive Governor General's award

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(Left to right): Deputy Chief of Quality Improvement & Professional Standards Gord Nevils (Northumberland Paramedics); Deputy Chief of Operations Keith Barrett (Northumberland Paramedics); paramedic Dan Dulmage (Northumberland Paramedics); paramedic Heidi Brown (Northumberland Paramedics); paramedic Angie Morrison (Northumberland Paramedics); Chief Susan Brown (Northumberland Paramedics); paramedic Bob Cranley (Northumberland Paramedics); Chief Warrant Officer Martin Bedard (Canadian Armed Forces); Major-General Marc Bilodeau (Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces)

By Cecilia Nasmith

At a special service in Kingston Thursday night, seven Northumberland Paramedics were awarded the Governor General's Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal or Bar.

This special honour recognizes paramedics who have exhibited the highest standards of good conduct industry and efficiency in providing pre-hospital emergency medical services. Recipients will have completed at least 20 years of service, at least half of which has been spent performing duties that involve potential risk.

“Our community is incredibly fortunate to have access to the highest quality of pre-hospital emergency medical care,” County Warden Bob Crate commented in the press release.

“On behalf of county council and our community, I would like to express my gratitude to these paramedicine professionals for their dedicated service and their personal commitment to excellence. We recognize and respect the strength, bravery and extensive training and skill that is required to deliver this industry-leading care to Northumberland residents and visitors, and we applaud your efforts to go above and beyond in your role. Congratulations on receiving this significant honour.”

The presentation marked the first Governor General's Exemplary Service Award ceremony since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so presentations included recognition of 2020 and 2021 recipients as well.

Recipients among Northumberland Paramedics included:

• Deputy Chief of Operations Keith Barrett, awarded a bar commemorating 30 years of service

• Primary Care Paramedic Dan Dulmage, awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service

• Primary Care Paramedic Heidi Brown, awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service

• Advanced Care Paramedic Bob Cranley, awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service

• Retired Primary Care Paramedic Cathy Hall, awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service

• Advanced Care Paramedic Angie Morrison, awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service

As well, former Northumberland Paramedic Ed Dunk, who died in 2021, was recognized for having been awarded a 30-year bar at a special service last year.

“Northumberland Paramedics is incredibly proud to join the Governor General in recognizing these first responders for their history of exceptional service, Northumberland Paramedics Chief (and previous medal recipient) Susan Brown said.

“These individuals have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty to give back to the community, volunteering their personal time outside of work hours in addition to their many years of service as a first responder.

“On behalf of the Northumberland Paramedics team, we congratulate these individuals on achieving this high honour in paramedicine, and we thank them for their contributions to health and well-being in Northumberland.”