Ontario Paramedic Association

09/01/2026

THANK YOU TO NORFOLK COUNTY PARAMEDICS

This is a supplied photo Mark and his wife Jaci (she passed away this summer).

Mark wanted the OPA to send out a thank you to the amazing paramedics in Norfolk County.

In Mark’s words, “My wife Jaci would not have lived as long as she did had it not been for the services of the paramedics in our area of Norfolk”.

We thank paramedics for all you do to show up in someone else’s time of need and make it better.

08/31/2026

MINORITY HEALTH RESEARCH

Are you a paramedic, or public safety personnel and identify as a racial or ethnic minority? We want to hear from you!

Our goal is to explore how your racial and/or ethnic identity shapes your professional identity, influences mental health, functioning, moral injury, and resilience.

Are you a paramedic, or public safety personnel and identify as a racial or ethnic minority? We want to hear from you!  Our goal is to explore how your racial and/or ethnic identity shapes your professional identity, influences mental health, functioning, moral injury, and resilience.

08/31/2026

ESSEX-WINDSOR PARAMEDICS TO LAUNCH NEW DISPATCH SYSTEM

Essex-Windsor Paramedics will roll out a new dispatch system next month.

Starting September 16, calls for an ambulance in Windsor-Essex will be handled by a new Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS).

"MPDS is designed with one clear purpose: to make sure that people experiencing life‑threatening emergencies receive help as quickly as possible," said Chief Justin Lammers. "It helps ensure that someone who is experiencing an urgent or life-threatening event receives an ambulance ahead of someone dealing with a non-urgent, non-life-threatening injury."

The MPDS is a software-based system that triages 9-1-1 calls based on call severity.

The system includes the ability for dispatchers to ask callers additional questions to determine the severity of the incident.

Lammers did acknowledge that those with less serious complaints will have to wait longer for an ambulance under the new system.

"This isn’t a flaw in the system. It’s the system working exactly as intended to protect lives and preserve critical paramedic resources for the people who need them most," said Lammers.

Complete information on Essex-Windsor Paramedics' new MPDS can be found on Essex County's official website.

By: Mark Brown
Sarnia News Today

08/30/2026

DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS, PARAMEDIC CALLS, HOSPITAL VISITS EASING

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit says there were three deaths in Chatham-Kent (CK) in June believed to be linked to drug overdoses.

The three deaths bring the total for April, May, and June to nine.

The June report states a total of 24 suspected drug-related deaths in CK during the first half of this year (15 in the first quarter and 9 in the second quarter). It also shows a total of eight confirmed or probable opioid overdose deaths recorded in January, February, and March. The opioid overdose deaths take longer to report because toxicology testing and coroner investigations take longer to complete, according to the health unit.

The health unit says the opioid overdose death rate in CK during the first three months of 2026 was 6.9 per cent, three times higher than the provincial average of 2.3 per cent. The 2026 year-to-date suspected drug-related death rate is also 2.5 times higher than the provincial rate (20.8 per 100,000 compared to 8.2 per 100,000).

Paramedic calls in June for suspected opioid overdoses decreased by 31 per cent compared to the previous month, down to 20 along with 11 non-opioid overdose calls, the report shows.

Opioid overdose visits to the emergency department (ED) also declined in June. They were down to seven, which is a 56 per cent decrease from May, added CK Public Health.

Despite this decline, public health officials say Chatham-Kent's 2026 year-to-date opioid overdose visit rate to the ED is still more than double the provincial rate (93.7 per 100,000 in CK compared to 41.9 per 100,000 in Ontario).

They continue to cite a risky local drug supply for the findings.

Meanwhile, International Overdose Awareness Day is on August 31.

Events will be hosted in Chatham and Wallaceburg at the R.O.C.K. drop in centres. The first event will be held in Chatham on August 26 from 3-6 p.m. at 39 Richmond Street, while the other will be held in Wallaceburg on August 27 from 4-7 p.m. at 233 Nelson Street.

The goal is to end overdoses, remember loved ones without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends.

By: Paul Pedro
CK News Today

08/29/2026

AURORA HONOURS YORK REGION PARAMEDIC WHO DIED SUDDENLY OFF DUTY

Aurora paused Wednesday night to remember York Region paramedic Sufyan Ismail Ahmed, whose sudden death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the community.

At Aurora’s concerts in the park, Mayor Tom Mrakas asked the crowd to observe a minute of silence in Ahmed’s honour as flags throughout the town were lowered to half-mast.

Ahmed died suddenly while off duty on Aug. 17.

His passing has been felt across York Region and beyond. In neighbouring Stouffville, flags at town hall and fire station 5-1 were also lowered to half-mast in his memory.

Ahmed had dedicated his life to serving others. According to a fundraiser created by his family, he spent six years with the Toronto Scottish Regiment before becoming a paramedic with York Region two years ago.

The Toronto Scottish Regiment also mourned the loss of Corporal Ahmed, remembering him for his dedication, warmth and commitment to service.

Those who knew him described Ahmed as someone whose presence could brighten a room.

“He was always filled with laughter, kindness, and warmth,” his family wrote in the fundraiser. “He had a truly sweet soul, and his presence brought happiness to so many people.”

The GoFundMe fundraiser, created to help support Ahmed’s family with funeral and memorial expenses and provide financial support in the difficult days ahead, quickly drew a strong response. It raised more than $35,000 in its first two days, reflecting the wide network of friends, colleagues and community members mourning his loss.

Ahmed’s family said they hope his memory will continue through “the lives he touched, the people he helped, and the love he shared with those around him.”

By: Yoyo Yan
AURORA TODAY

08/28/2026

TAVISTOCK TO GET A PERMANENT PARAMEDIC STATION THROUGH SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

The Village of Tavistock will eventually have its own dedicated paramedic station at the current East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) public works yard on William Street.

Oxford County council approved the move, which included awarding a sole-source contract to Woodstock’s Sierra Construction for just under $1 million. The county has been operating at a temporary facility on the site.

EZT deputy mayor Brad Smith took Mayor Phil Schaefer’s place around the county horseshoe at the Aug. 12 meeting and supported the decision.

“In speaking with EZT staff, the temporary agreement has been very amicable. The location they have chosen will highly affect Tavistock and the north end of East Zorra-Tavistock. It has access to one of our paved concessions, and they can go south and cover the top of the township and right up the road there are two nursing homes right on the same street.”

He added that the township is excited to move past being underserved when it comes to paramedic services.

Earlier this year, county council approved additional paramedic staffing hours to improve service levels within the Tavistock area. The 2026 budget request assumed a temporary station location would be established in partnership with EZT. No capital costs related to the establishment of a station were included in the budget, something Woodstock and county Coun. Deb Tait questioned.

“I won’t be supporting this. It should be referred to the capital budget … and I have an issue with the sole sourcing. I understand what was in the report, but sole sourcing for a piece of equipment only one supplier has – this is a building just about anyone could do. In the interest of the taxpayer, I can’t support it.”

Chief of paramedic services Ryan Hall said some things needed to fall into place before his department could accurately budget for the facility.

By: Lee Griffi
GRANT HAVEN MEDIA

08/27/2026

PARAMEDIC ATTACKED AFTER RESPONDING TO HIGHWAY CRASH

A man is facing multiple charges after a paramedic was attacked while responding to offer assistance following an accident on Highway 522 in Golden Valley, west of Powassan.

On Aug. 14, at 5:10 p.m., North Bay OPP, Parry Sound District Paramedic Services, and the Argyle Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a single-vehicle accident near Olivers Road in East Mills Township.

The caller reported that a man had crashed a vehicle and suspected he was impaired.

"Paramedics arrived before police and began transporting the driver for assessment," says an OPP release. "During transport, the driver reportedly became combative, threatened paramedics, damaged ambulance equipment, and threw an object at a paramedic."

Police arrested the driver, who was then taken to a local hospital for further testing.

Peter Ryan, 35, of Arnstein, is charged with:

1) Assault
2) Assault with a weapon
3) Mischief over $5,000
4) Operation while impaired by alcohol
5) Operation while impaired — blood alcohol concentration (80 Plus)
6) Dangerous operation
7) Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm

Ryan was held for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay. In addition to the criminal charges, Ryan received a 90-day administrative driver's licence suspension and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The North Bay OPP and Parry Sound District Paramedic Services say that violence, threats, and aggression toward first responders will not be tolerated.

"Paramedics deserve a safe workplace while providing emergency care."

Studies show that roughly 48 to 75 per cent, and up to nearly 90 per cent in some international studies of active-duty paramedics, experience workplace violence, ranging from daily verbal harassment to physical and sexual assault.

Many assaults involve patients altered by drugs, alcohol, severe mental health crises, low blood sugar, or medical conditions like dementia.

The Ontario Paramedic Association says violence against paramedics is on the rise, and points to Cochrane District in northern Ontario.

Reports of violence against paramedics in the Cochrane District continue to rise, with physical assaults in the first five months of 2026 already surpassing last year’s total.

Cochrane District Services Board data shows 28 violence-related incidents have been reported through the External Violence Incident Reporting system since structured reporting started.

Those incidents include nine physical assaults, 18 cases of verbal abuse, three reports of sexual harassment, and two complaints of intimidation.

One paramedic injury was also reported.

By: OrilliaMatters Staff

08/26/2026

IN MEMORY OF PARAMEDIC DEAN POPOV

December 8, 1962 – August 7, 2026

Dean Popov died suddenly on August 7, 2026, leaving behind a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues who loved him deeply.

Born in Montreal on December 8, 1962, Dean was the son of the late Steve (Svetislav) Popov and Olga Popov (Saban). He leaves behind his beloved children, Nicolas and Madelyn, who were the light in his eyes; his sister and lifelong friend, Dana Popov-Adamo, and brother-in-law Steve Adamo, who remained an important and steady part of his life; and his partner, Julie Desjardins, with whom he shared a life filled with love and laughter.

Paramedicine was Dean’s calling. It was work he cared deeply about and remained passionate about throughout his life. He spent the early part of his career in Toronto and went on to work with Sunnybrook Base Hospital before moving into leadership roles with Halton Region Paramedic Services and Frontenac Paramedic Services, serving as Deputy Chief with both.

For all his experience and leadership, Dean never lost his love of being a medic. He enjoyed jumping a call and being alongside the people doing the work. He was respected for his skill and knowledge, but also for his humour, his calm presence and the way he treated people. Many of the colleagues he mentored became friends, and many of those friendships lasted long after they stopped working together.

That combination of kindness and humour was simply Dean. He was genuinely interested in people. He included them, looked out for them and had a way of making them feel they belonged. He could make people laugh, often when they needed it most, and his sense of humour was very much his own. To know Dean was to have stories about Dean, and there are a lot of stories.

Dean was only 63. There should have been more time. More ordinary days, more adventures, more stories and a great deal more laughter.

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga.

In memory of Dean, those wishing to make a donation are invited to support GlobalMedic at GlobalMedic.ca

By: Kingstonist

08/26/2026

HALIBURTON COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICE ENHANCES FRONTLINE CARE WITH ADVANCED CARE PARAMEDICS

Haliburton County, Ontario – Haliburton County Paramedic Service (HCPS) is proud to announce the introduction of Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs) into frontline operations, representing an important step in the evolution of healthcare available to residents and visitors across Haliburton County.

Following Council approval, HCPS has now deployed its first frontline ACP. The program is expected to expand over time while, simultaneously, primary care paramedics continue to keep up with rigorous education requirements for a dynamic and expanding scope of practice.

“As Warden of Haliburton County, I am pleased to see our health services expand to offer more services for the residents of our region,” said Warden Dave Burton. “We are fortunate to have dedicated professionals serving on the front lines everyday, making the Haliburton Highlands an exceptional place to live and visit.”

Every ambulance in Haliburton County is staffed by highly trained Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs) who provide exceptional care for the community. The introduction of Advanced Care Paramedics will complement the team and provide advanced interventions for patients experiencing the most complex or time-critical medical emergencies. Some common examples of these include electrical cardioversion, intubation, and the administration of advanced medications to control things like extreme pain or seizures. For residents and visitors, this means an additional layer of advanced clinical care is now available within Haliburton County.

The first paramedic to serve on a frontline ambulance as an Advanced Care Paramedic in Haliburton County is Shawn Foster, a dedicated paramedic with more than ten years of frontline experience. Shawn's achievement reflects both his personal commitment to professional development and HCPS's ongoing investment in providing exceptional emergency care to the community.

"Today's announcement reflects our commitment to continually advancing the care we provide to our community," said Chief Michael Slatter, of Haliburton County Paramedic Service. "Our Primary Care Paramedics already deliver exceptional care and are recognized for the progressive scope they practice under. Introducing Advanced Care Paramedics builds on that strong foundation, ensuring our teams have even more clinical support available when caring for patients with the most complex medical needs. We appreciate the support of both County Council and our residents and visitors as we continue strengthening emergency healthcare for Haliburton County."

The addition of Advanced Care Paramedics represents another milestone in HCPS's ongoing commitment to delivering evidence-informed, patient-centred health care while continuing to build healthcare equity to meet the evolving needs of the community.

By: County of Haliburton

08/25/2026