April 5, 2016

 

Toronto Paramedic Services' Chief Paul Raftis, Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee, and Lieutenant General Richard Rohmer, Honorary Toronto Paramedic Services Chief today presented the annual Toronto Paramedic Services Awards at Toronto Emergency Headquarters.

 

Fifty-seven people received awards for their public service at this annual ceremony.

 

"I am so impressed by the stories that have been told here today. We live in a great City with great people, sharing a great sense of community. It is remarkable for me to meet so many Toronto residents, who were willing to step forward to help someone in need," said Councillor Pasternak.

 

"This annual event gives our service the opportunity to say thank-you to members of the public and to our allied service colleagues who selflessly step forward to help members of our community experiencing a medical emergency," said Chief Raftis. "Their compassion is justly recognized and appreciated by our paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers and operations support staff."

 

The Toronto Paramedic Services awards are held annually in the spring. The awards recognize members of the public who have gone out of their way to provide first-aid and care to people experiencing a medical emergency. Those recognized this year include bystanders starting Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a person without vital signs, administering a life-saving shock from a public access defibrillator and slowing severe bleeding from a traumatic injury.

 

Toronto Paramedic Services Employees of the Year and those receiving awards for bravery were also recognized today.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://ow.ly/10kcGU

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Kim McKinnon, Toronto Paramedic Services, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 416-392-2255