Paramedics Receive Provincial Awards
October 31, 2003 - Three Superior North EMS paramedics have received important recognition at a provincial ceremony held in Niagara Falls last week. The Chancellory of Honours of the Governor-General announced that Paul Charbonneau and Hugette Marchak have received the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal. John Prno of the Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Ontario also announced that Jeff Aiken has received the McNally Award of Bravery.Paul Charbonneau has 28 years of service in Emergency Medical Services in Toronto, Moosonee, and now in Nipigon, where he is the Manager of the Eastern region of Superior North EMS. During the recent move to direct operation, Paul’s leadership skills played a major role in ensuring a smooth transition.
Hugette Marchak was a key person in starting an emergency first response team in Longlac in the mid 1970s. Her persistent efforts led to the formation of a volunteer ambulance service in 1979, and in the last two decades she has been the driving force for EMS in Longlac. Today she is the lead hand for the Longlac Station.
Jeff Aiken is one of two Ontario paramedics receivng the McNally Award, presented for acts of conspicuous bravery rendered by paramedics. On September 2, 2002, Jeff spent the night in the bush outside of Manitouwadge providing paramedical care for an injured hunter with serious chest and back injuries incurred after falling from a tree stand. At 4:00 a.m. on September 3, 2002, a Canadian Forces search and rescue team arrived, and over the next few hours, Jeff aided the team in extricating the patient to McKellar Hospital.
We at Superior North EMS are proud of the accomplishments and provincial recognition of three of our own.
