Paramedics, dispatchers and others who have lost their lives in the line of duty along with others who lost battles with post-traumatic stress disorder were honoured Friday at a Guelph ceremony.
Members of the Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services gathered at the Clair Road Emergency Services on Friday afternoon for a Remember The Fallen ceremony and the ringing of the Paramedic Memorial Bell.
The names of 51 paramedics from across Canada are read aloud and the bell tolled for each paramedic who has died in the line of duty and the bell was rang one more time for others who lost their battle with PTSD.
The ceremony kicked-off with paramedics biking up St. Clair Rd. W. with an ambulance following behind and carrying the bell. Upon arrival at the station, the bell was then placed inside the station, on top of a mural with the names of 51 Canadians recognized for their work and sacrifice.
"The names enshrined on this bell are not just names," said Stephen Dewar, chief of Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services.
"These people made the ultimate sacrifice that comes from putting the needs of others before their own, risking physical and mental injury to help those in need." said Dewar, "Those risks have never been more prevalent than they are today."
Called a mobile memorial, the bell was built in 2015 by Ottawa paramedic Michael Dunlop and has travelled across the province to recognize those who had served their communities.
During the service, Guelph Paramedic Carrie Gordon read the names of all the those being honoured and the Paramedic Memorial Bell rang after each name was called. Afterwards, the bell rang once more to remember the effects of PTSD on all first responders.
"I think it (this event) has had an element of bringing our services together, across Ontario and across Canada." said Gordon in an interview, "For me personally, it's been an honour to be a part of it and I was really honoured to get the chance to read the names."
Unlike previous years, none of the 51 names mentioned are from Guelph-Wellington. Gordon, who has been with Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services for 17 years, said the organization has been very active in reaching out to their fellow paramedics.
"We have got a very active peer support team that will reach out for any event that's considered traumatic. We also have a peer support line that is available 24/7 that we rotate through so there is always someone available to reach out to in need," said Gordon.
"Our paramedics, on their own, are excellent in counselling each other. They will reach out to each other, check-in with each other – in terms of social media, texting, emailing, sending quick snaps – whatever they need to do. It's been wonderful for them to reach out."
The Paramedic Memorial Bell has been travelling through Wellington County since Sept. 25 as part of the Tour Paramedic Ride.
Replacing The Paramedic Ride, an annual bike ride from Toronto to Ottawa, all 52 land and air operations across the province held their own ride ceremony within their municipality for The Tour Paramedic Ride. Within Guelph and Wellington, a bike relay was developed to bring the bell to all paramedic stations across this region.
Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services will be passing the bell along to the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services on Saturday.
