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Superior North EMS Paramedic Wins Prestigious Provincial Award

October 12, 2005 Jeff Monas has been given the N.H. McNally award by the Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services Operators at a ceremony last week in Waterloo.

The N.H. McNally Award recognizes acts of conspicuous bravery by pre-hospital professionals in the performance of their duties.The Award was established in 1976 to honour Dr. Norman McNally, the father of Ontario's ambulance system. The award in his name has a rich history of acknowledging individuals who risked their lives to rescue or protect others from harm. It is not an annual award, and only presented when deserved.

In November of 2004 bystanders called 911 after seeing a woman floating in the McIntyre River. The bystanders had attempted to rescue the woman, but could not continue because the water was too cold. Upon arrival, Monas and two police officers elected to rescue the woman, as they knew that it would be minutes before Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue personnel arrived at the scene. When the woman was brought back to shore she was clinically dead. After advanced life-saving procedures were initiated by Monas and the other paramedics, they were able to resuscitate the woman so that upon arrival at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Emergency Department, her heart was beating.

"The quick action by paramedic Jeff Monas and the two police officers in returning the woman to shore so that advanced life support procedures could be initiated was instrumental in the resuscitation efforts" said Norm Gale, Public Information Officer for Superior North EMS. "Of course, time is critical in these situations, and this selfless act allowed for the timely initiation of life-saving procedures", added Gale.

Superior North EMS supervisor Mark Gosse arrived at the scene just after Monas and the police officers entered the water. "The effect on Monas and the police officers was apparent as they came out of the water. It was obvious that they were suffering from the early stages of immersion hypothermia, as they were violently shivering and unable to talk. Fortunately, we were able to quickly warm Monas, the police officers and the bystander at the scene. Monas then proceeded with resuscitative efforts in conjunction with other paramedics. I am surprised that Monas was able to carry on with the resuscitation" said Gosse.

"This is an extremely unusual event for a paramedic", said Gale. "Normally, rescue attempts are made by specially trained personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service. But, in this circumstance, critical thinking, quick action, and selfless behaviour by Monas and the police officers have ensured the survival of the patient."