Ontario Paramedic Association

06/03/2026

THE OPA IS AMPLIFYING A GOFUNDME FOR PARAMEDIC STUDENT NATHAN PINEDA

Nathan was in a serious collision with a vehicle while riding his bike on May 22, 2026. Due to the crash, he was transported to Hamilton General Hospital, and the decision was made to amputate his left leg to save his life. He will be requiring rehabilitation and continued support during this time.

Nathan is enrolled at Conestoga College in the Paramedic program and is in his final semester of studying and is a paramedic student in Waterloo Region Paramedic Service.

He is an avid cyclist, runner, and athlete. The day of the collision, he was returning home from volunteering his time as a basketball coach for elementary school children.

Nathan has also presented in front of the Kitchener-Waterloo City Council advocating for safer roads for bikers, pedestrians, and building public transport. He is an amazing person who has a big heart and love for the community and the people around him. We are praying for a recovery that can help him get back to camping, outdoors, biking, running, and everything he loves doing.

Anything you can contribute will be greatly and deeply appreciated. These funds will directly support Nathan for his rehabilitation program, medical costs, and accessibility for in-home care.

Nathan was in a serious collision with a vehicle while riding his bike on May 22, 2026. Due to t… Josue Pineda needs your support for Nathan Pineda's GoFundMe

06/03/2026

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM CAN HELP SENIORS WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS LIVE AT HOME LONGER

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The health care system as a whole has gone to great lengths to help seniors remain in their homes, out of hospital emergency rooms and out of long-term care facilities.

Paramedics have been doing their part and learned in 2025 that the community paramedicine program has received permanent funding from the province.

The program is now province-wide but back in 2014, the Guelph-Wellington community paramedicine program started as a pilot project of the Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service.

In a way, the program allows paramedics with extra training to become the eyes and ears of the family doctor – recording vital signs, reading monitors, talking to patients and relaying medical information to the patient’s doctor, who in turn might change a prescription, order a procedure or recommend another course of treatment depending on the patient’s need.

Dawn Koehler is superintendent of the Guelph-Wellington community paramedicine program and she’s very passionate about the program and the clients it serves.

“We get a lot of ‘you saved my life,’” she said in a phone interview. “What I love is that we empower people to take care of their own health.

“I find it satisfying to help people with the prevention piece.”

Call 9-1-1 with a medical emergency and paramedics show up. They stabilize patients and transport them to hospital by ambulance if necessary.

There are many incidents where that is the right course of action. Heart attacks, broken limbs, car accidents, injuries – people suffering these conditions need to get to the hospital, and fast.

But there are many people with chronic conditions who don’t need to go to the emergency room but do need some medical attention. That’s where the community paramedicine program comes in.

Specially trained paramedics provide in-home, non-emergency care to assist people living with chronic conditions like congestive heart failure, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Those who qualify, feel up to it and agree to it, can borrow equipment like scales, blood pressure cuffs and blood oxygen sensors, and community paramedics can monitor the data remotely.

“If we see an issue, we come out and check on the client,” Koehler said. Similarly, with some education the client can call paramedics and request a visit if they feel something is awry.

With the client’s consent, information is sent to the family doctor or specialist, who can instruct the paramedic on what to do next.

“Our goal is to catch a worsening illness before (the client) goes to hospital. We want to prevent hospitalization,” Koehler said.

Community paramedics also conduct home visits when a referral is first made, when a health agency feels one is necessary, and if a person has called 9-1-1 multiple times.

Paramedics assess mental and physical health conditions, check vital signs and check the home for any dangers or concerns.

Educating the client is a key component of the program and Koehler said she likes that aspect of it – “empowering people to take care of their own health.”

Koehler said there are 650 people in the community paramedic program and 160 of those use remote monitoring. They are equally divided between Guelph and Wellington County.

Most of them are seniors; many who get home visits are waiting for a room in long-term care.

“Most (health care services) know about us,” Koehler said, adding hospitals, doctors and family health teams often refer their patients to the community paramedic program.

The paramedics, in turn, can refer clients to personal support workers or other community services.

“We connect clients to the right resources if they want the help,” she said. “This is all on an agreed basis with full consent.”

They also accept self-referrals.

By: Joanne Shuttleworth
WELLINGTON ADVERTISER

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

HASTINGS-QUINTE PARAMEDIC SERVICES HONOURS TODD LAMORRE WITH LEADERSHIP AWARD

One of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services’ most senior front-line paramedics has received the service’s 2026 leadership award.

Belleville native Todd Lamorre, 52, received the trophy from Chief Carl Bowker during an information Paramedic Services Week gathering Thursday at the service’s Belleville headquarters.

LaMorre had been called in from his usual base in Picton but hadn’t been told the reason.

“I was surprised,” he said.

Chief Bowker said the award began in 2022, when it was first presented to founding chief Doug Socha upon his retirement from the profession. Since then, it’s been named in Socha’s honour and has become a peer-nominated award.

The service has more than 200 employees. They nominate their coworkers and those nominations are then evaluated by the leadership team.

“This year Todd was the overwhelming favourite” among voters, Bowker said.

“It feels great,” said LaMorre. “It means that my 35 years are worth something – not just in the community, but with my coworkers.”

His late father, Steven, was a local paramedic for 38 years.

“Compassion’s a big part of this job,” the younger LaMorre said when asked for his own philosophy about the work.

Everybody loves him. Everybody trusts him,” said LaMorre’s partner, Bill Hughes. ““He’s ambitious. … If something needs to be done, he does it.

“He’s always on top of everything. A true leader.”

LaMorre and Hughes said they’re the two most senior local paramedics on the road.

“There’s not many medics that stay around for 35 years,” LaMorre said. “Five to seven years is the average.”

The Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Local 1842 represents Hastings-Quinte paramedics.

“Paramedics are far more than emergency responders,” Local 1842’s secretary, paramedic Samantha deHaan, said in a news release.

“They are highly skilled healthcare professionals who bring clinical expertise, compassion, and calm into some of the most difficult moments people will ever experience. Every day, our members provide exceptional care to patients across Hastings County, and this week gives us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate that work.”

In recognition of Paramedic Services Week, the local acknowledged the skill and professionalism of its members, along with the sacrifices they and their families make as they serve. The release also recognized the collaborative work performed by other healthcare and emergency-service professionals.

“Better care truly starts with the people who answer the call, walk through the door, and provide care when it matters most,” she added. “Our paramedics are trusted members of the healthcare system and pillars within our communities. We are incredibly proud of the care they provide and honoured to represent them.”

Both the service and union are holding various activities this week.

The service brought aboard 28 new paramedics in recent weeks.

As a preceptor, LaMorre mentors new paramedics when they join the service. He’s also a member of the local peer support team and a part-time supervisor with Frontenac Paramedic Services, a position he’s held for 10 years. He was a 2016 recipient of the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal presented by Canada’s governor general.

“I still enjoy coming to work,” said LaMorre, “and in this job, you have to enjoy coming to work.”

By: Luke Hendry
THE INTELLIGENCER

06/01/2026

‘UNSETTLING’: VIOLENCE AGAINST HALTON PARAMEDICS CONTINUES TO CLIMB

Violence against Halton paramedics continued to rise in 2025, with staff reporting hundreds of incidents ranging from verbal abuse and intimidation to sexual harassment and physical assaults, according to a report presented to regional council.

Halton Region Paramedic Services recorded 274 incidents of violence against paramedics in 2025, up slightly from 260 incidents in 2024. The figures were collected through the service’s External Violence Against Paramedics (EVAP) reporting system.

Since the EVAP system launched in December 2022, more than 700 incidents have been reported.

Among the categories that increased in 2025 were verbal abuse, which climbed from 118 to 132 incidents, intimidation, which rose from 39 to 49 — and sexual harassment, which went from 11 to 15 cases.

During Wednesday’s discussion, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward called the trend troubling.

“I want to thank our first responders and our paramedics in particular for the incredible work that you do to keep us safe under very, very difficult circumstances,” she said. “It's unsettling to continue to see the number of incidents of violence… going up, not down.”

Halton paramedic chief Greg Sage said the issue is not unique to Halton and is being seen across Ontario.

“Some of them are associated just with stress, some with mental health, some with addictions issues, and some I think is just related to the broader sort of societal discourse we're seeing with public officials,” Sage told council. “But there's no sort of definitive reason why this is occurring.”

Sage said paramedic services continue to push for stronger Criminal Code protections for paramedics, though there is no update yet on proposed federal legislation currently before Parliament.

Milton Regional Councillor Sameera Ali highlighted concerns around gender-based violence faced by paramedics.

“It’s no secret that most of these incidents are with women,” Ali said, urging staff to consider “intersectionalities” when developing supports and solutions.

Oakville Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll, who serves as chair of Halton police board, successfully moved to have the report circulated to the board, saying the issue should be raised at both provincial and national police governance tables.

Council also heard details on the support systems available to paramedics following violence incidents. Sage said staff involved in serious events can immediately be taken out of service, provided decompression time and connected with peer support teams or clinical psychologists.

“We’ve got a number of different pathways with them,” Sage said, adding paramedics are increasingly being encouraged to pursue charges through police when appropriate.

Despite the rise in reported incidents, Sage suggested part of the increase may reflect improved reporting rather than solely worsening behaviour.

“The team thinks one of the reasons that we didn’t see a decrease in the numbers was because of increased reporting,” he said.

Sage told council they will continue ongoing staff education, public awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts to reduce violence against paramedics.

By: Bambang Sadewo
HALTONHILLS TODAY

05/31/2026

REPORTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PARAMEDICS CONTINUE TO RISE: DATA

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

Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) data show that 28 violence-related incidents have been reported through the External Violence Incident Reporting (EVIR) 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.

The report shared at the May 21 CDSB meeting also identified a weapon-related safety concern in March and an incident in April where a paramedic needed medical assessment after being assaulted.

Last month, the board learned that two people were charged in separate incidents involving assaults on paramedics who were responding to emergency calls. Since then, one more person has been charged.

TimminsToday asked CDSB where the charges were laid, but did not receive a response before publication.

Paramedic service chief Marc Renaud said the numbers show both ongoing safety concerns and a change in workplace culture that now encourages staff to report incidents that might have been documented before.

“Overall, the report reinforces that violence toward paramedics is not acceptable, and CDPS (Cochrane District Paramedic Service) will continue to promote reporting for staff for their safety, for public awareness, and for accountability,” he told board members.

Since CDSB started formally tracking in September 2024, reports have continued to rise.

CDPS recorded two incidents from September to December 2024, then 10 incidents in all of 2025. By May 6 of this year, 16 incidents had already been reported.

Physical assaults have increased, from one reported in all of 2025 to eight in the first five months of 2026.

Renaud explained that paramedics have emergency alert systems in their radios that instantly notify dispatch and police if crews are in danger.

“Our portable radios do have panic buttons that immediately sound an alarm at our dispatch centre, and it stops all transmissions, and the police are notified that it's an urgent call for them,” he said.

The service has also put up warning posters inside ambulances to let people know that abusive behaviour toward paramedics could lead to charges. They are now looking into a wider public awareness campaign.

“We're also going to start working on a public awareness campaign,” Renaud said. “I don't think we did a great job of that when we started this program a few years back.”

According to the report, incidents have occurred in multiple settings, including on scene, during patient transport and inside hospitals.

The report also notes that partnerships with the Timmins Police Service and the OPP have grown stronger as concerns have increased.

By: Marissa Lentz-McGrath
TIMMINS TODAY

05/30/2026

Ontario Paramedics are thinking of all of those involved in this multi-vehicle head-on crash west of Smiths Falls that involved an ambulance and extend our consideration and empathy to the families of those affected.

ONE PERSON DEAD, CHILD CRITICALLY INJURED AND TWO PARAMEDICS IN HOSPITAL

One person is dead and a child is in critical condition following a three-vehicle collision outside of Smiths Falls that injured three others on Friday afternoon, according to emergency responders.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to the collision along Highway 15 in Lombardy, a community southwest of Ottawa, just before 4:30 p.m., police wrote in a post to social media.

Paramedics say a child was airlifted to CHEO's pediatric trauma centre, and two others were transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, paramedics said, noting a fifth person sustained minor injuries.

Following the collision, Highway 15 is shut down between County Road 1 and County Road 5.

"Motorists should expect a lengthy road closure as the investigation at scene continues," OPP wrote in a statement.

By: CBC News

UPDATED: TWO PARAMEDICS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER SERIOUS HIGHWAY 15 COLLISION NEAR LOMBARDY

Two paramedics have been released from hospital after a serious collision involving an ambulance on Highway 15 near Lombardy late yesterday afternoon.

The crash closed Highway 15 from County Road 1 to County Road 5 as emergency crews responded to what was described as a serious multi-vehicle collision. Early reports indicated the incident involved a head-on collision with an ambulance. There is no update on the condition of the occupant(s) of the other vehicle.

According to Lanark County Scanner, an Ornge air ambulance helicopter landed at the Lombardy Fairgrounds as the response unfolded. Injuries were being assessed at the scene, and drivers were asked to avoid the area, use alternate routes and follow the direction of officers.

In a statement, officials confirmed one of their ambulances was involved in the collision. The two paramedics inside were taken to The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, where they were treated for their injuries and later released.

Officials say they are still gathering confirmed information and are working closely with partner agencies as the investigation continues. Because the process is ongoing, no further details are being released at this time.

The closure was expected to be lengthy while police and emergency responders remained on scene.

Officials also extended thanks to all emergency responders who attended, recognizing their professionalism and care during a difficult call.

“Our thoughts are with everyone involved and all those affected by this incident,” the statement said.

Anyone travelling through the area is reminded to plan ahead when serious collisions occur, allow extra time, and give emergency crews the space they need to work safely.

By: 88.1 myFM News

05/25/2026

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05/24/2026

GREATER SUDBURY CELEBRATES PARAMEDIC SERVICES WEEK

It’s Paramedic Services Week and on May 19, Greater Sudbury recognized and celebrated the dedicated paramedics who serve the community.

Gino St. Jean, who is now retired, said he started in 1989 and has seen paramedicine evolve through the years.

“When I started, we had oxygen and a blanket,” St. Jean said.

“Then it progressed forward to a defibrillator (and) being able to give some medication. And then up to today, doing cardioversion, intubation, IVs and a plethora of medication and other things that we can do to help people stay at home rather than always going to the (emergency department).

While he said there were “ups and downs” in his years of service, one thing stayed the same.

“The best moments were making a difference and taking care of people,” St. Jean said.

Jorja Weicker, who is new to the profession, said he just wants to be working in the field helping people.

“Doing what I can to help everybody at what they would consider the worst points in their lives,” Weicker said.

“I consider it an honour and a privilege to be able to do that for them.”

ABOUT 35,000 CALLS IN SUDBURY A YEAR

The theme for this year’s week is ‘Better Care Starts Here.’

Aaron Archibald, the city’s chief of paramedic services, said they handle about 35,000 calls a year.

“We’ll have upwards of anywhere between 1,500 to 2,000 patients rostered in our community paramedic program,” Archibald said.

“So we’re doing everything from offering clinics to shelters, integrated into housing units.”

With the 10 new hires sworn in at a May 19 ceremony, Greater Sudbury now has around 200 people working in paramedic services.

While staffing levels are stable right now, Archibald said recruitment and retention continue to be a challenge.

Especially knowing that the population is growing but also aging rapidly in the community.

“We work very closely with our community colleges and partners here to ensure that once we hire new staff, they’re onboarded and are committed,” he said.

“Hopefully they will make Sudbury their home.”

City council has also voted to fund an advanced care paramedic program. Archibald said 11 staff will graduate this fall through the partnership with College Boreal.

By: Lyndsay Aelick
CTV News

05/23/2026

KAWARTHA LAKES CELEBRATES PARAMEDICS SERVICES WEEK

Paramedic Services Week is May 17 to 23. Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service is taking the opportunity to celebrate the dedicated paramedics who provide compassionate, high-quality care to our community every day.

Throughout the week, residents may see paramedics out in the community taking part in school visits, outreach activities, and recognition events celebrating local paramedic staff, including celebrity server night.

CELEBRITY SERVER NIGHT: MAY 19

One of the highlights of the week is the annual celebrity server night at Boston Pizza (435 Kent St W, Lindsay) on Tuesday, May 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Your favourite local emergency response “celebrities” will be taking over as servers for the evening, bringing the fun straight to your table. Expect good vibes, friendly competition, and maybe even a few surprise moments along the way.

Even better, 10 per cent of all proceeds from the evening will support BGC Kawarthas, so every bite helps make a difference in our community.

BETTER CARE STARTS HERE

This year’s Paramedic Services Week theme, “Better Care Starts Here,” recognizes the important role paramedics play in delivering compassionate, evidence-informed care while working closely with healthcare partners and the community to support better patient outcomes. Paramedics continue to strengthen the healthcare system and improve the quality of care for the communities they serve.

“During Paramedic Services Week, we recognize the care our team provides every day and the way they support patients and each other,” said Chief Sara Johnston in a press release. “Paramedicine has evolved far beyond transporting patients. Today, our paramedics are highly skilled clinicians delivering care in complex and often unpredictable environments. What stands out most is the compassion they bring to every call. Behind each interaction is a person and a story that matters. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the care they provide to our community.”

Learn more about Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service and how to become a Paramedic at www.kawarthalakes.ca/paramedics

By: Lindsay Advocate
Kawartha Lales Weekly