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Manitouwadge Paramedic Receives Bravery Award

October 31, 2003 - Jeff Aiken, a paramedic in Manitouwadge with Superior North Emergency Medical Services has been awarded the McNally Award for acts of conspicuous bravery. Announced by the Association of Emergency Medical Services of Ontario, Jeff received the award Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at a ceremony in Niagara Falls.

On September 2, 2002, Jeff became aware of a request for assistance for a hunter who had fallen off a tree stand about 20 kms from the nearest road. Because the call came in late afternoon, darkness prevented the regular Air Ambulance service from responding. There were no landing zones nearby and the patient would have to be hoisted. The Labrador helicopter from Trenton had to be called in. Jeff, who was off duty at the time, realized that the patient would need care through the night in the wilderness setting. He responded on his own time with wilderness rescue equipment from the station and his personal search and rescue backpack.

After being brought in by ATV, he found the patient to have been properly immobilized by well-trained first aiders. He helped set up fires close by, insulate the patient from the ground and air and basically kept hypothermia from setting in. He monitored vital signs and maintained a link up with CACC who updated the Armed Forces. Because of his experience in the Armed Forces, Jeff knew the impact of a Labrador hovering over a bush site and recruited the hunters to clear the area of all debris to protect the patient.

Around 04:00, the Labrador started to hover overhead. A Canadian Forces search and rescue technician rappelled down near the patient. With Jeff's assistance, the patient was fully packaged and hoisted in the Labrador. Jeff was then hoisted on board to maintain patient continuity. After being transferred to Thunder Bay, the patient was confirmed to have serious spinal and internal injuries.

We at Superior North Emergency Services are proud of the recognition of our own, and congratulate Jeff Aiken on this award.