EHS Long Service Medals 2011

The following paramedics receiving their long service medals in 2011 are available for media interviews:

Cape Breton Region:

• William (Billy) Brown, North Sydney: 25 years
  Billy plays a very active role in his community, volunteering his time delivering first aid training and safety courses for several community groups.
• Thomas MacLean, Glace Bay: 35 years
  In addition to his years of service in Nova Scotia, Tom was also instrumental in the development of an emergency health services system in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Barry Tracey, Petit De Grat: 20 years
  Barry is passionate about education, in paramedicine and in his community. He has been an educator in our province’s emergency medical services system for more than 13 years, and was an active participant in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth).
• Ricky Young, Glace Bay: 20 years
  The desire to save lives runs in Ricky’s family: his father was also a paramedic.

Northeastern Region:

• Owen Lynds, Tatamagouche: 20 years
  Owen thrives on bringing control to situations that are often out of control. This level-headed thinking serves him well in his career as a paramedic and his involvement with his local fire department.
• Roger McCabe, Oxford: 30 years
  Roger played an active role in the response efforts for the train derailment in Shubenacadie, and he received a medal of bravery for his response involvement in the Westray mine disaster.
• John (Bud) Sanford, Shubenacadie: 30 years
  As a founding member of the Tri-County Emergency Medical Services Council, Bud helped set the direction for prehospital care in East Hants. He was also involved in response efforts for the Swissair crash and the September 11, 2001.

Central Region:

• Donald (Bud) Avery, Halifax: 35 years
  Bud knows first-hand the risks of being a paramedic: he was once held at gunpoint while working.
• Darrell Bardua, Dartmouth: 20 years
  Darrell is an active participant in the evolution of paramedicine: he is one of the Nova Scotia’s first Extended Care Paramedics, providing on-site treatment to nursing home residents.
• Stephen Flemming, Watt Section: 30 years
  As if exams aren’t tough enough: a mere four hours before Stephen wrote his emergency medical assistant exams, he had to deliver a baby in the ambulance!
• Dawn Nickerson, Fletcher’s Lake: 20 years
  Dawn brings her phenomenal work ethic to every part of her life: she is well respected by all her peers and is dedicated to her family.

Western Region:

• Heather Benvie, Liverpool: 20 years
  Heather gives back to her community in many ways, including educating elementary school children in first aid training. In recognition of her volunteering, Heather received a certificate of appreciation in the Region of Queens Municipality.
• Joseph Gallant, New Germany: 25 years
  The first patient Joseph ever resuscitated from a cardiac arrest left an impression: the patient is alive and well and they still keep in touch!
• Darren Romkey, Lunenburg: 20 years
  Thanks to Darren and his colleagues, a toddler that had been underwater for some time and was initially unresponsive survived and is now in his twenties.
• Lilly Snook, Shelburne: 20 years
  Delivering a baby is a great accomplishment for a paramedic. Lilly went one step further: she successfully delivered two babies at two different times almost in the same spot on the side of Highway 103!
• Harold Zwanepol, Hemford: 20 years
  Harold’s decision to become a paramedic may have received some paternal influence through a couple of generations: both his father and his grandfather were paramedics in the Royal Dutch Army.
• Jeanette Diggdon, Yarmouth: 20 years
  Paramedics often describe their colleagues as family, but few can claim Jeanette’s direct connections: her husband, daughter, son-in-law, niece and her niece’s husband are all paramedics!
• Gordon Moore, Barton: 20 years
  Gordon has the distinction of being involved in the province’s community paramedicine program from the beginning, through working on Long and Brier Island.

Also Receiving Long Service Medals:

• Stewart Buffett, Sydney, 30 years
• Brian Bunch, New Minas, 25 years
• Glenn Caudle, Truro, 25 years
• David Clarke, Inverness, 20 years
• Judith Dorey, Queens County, 20 years
• James (Gerald) Dunlop, Baddeck, 35 years
• Randy Graham, Windsor, 25 years
• William Hodgins, Dartmouth, 35 years
• Kevin Huston, Pugwash, 20 years
• Terrance Lawlor, Cole Harbour, 25 years
• Wayne LeMoine, Shelburne County, 20 years
• Charles MacDonald, Inverness, 20 years
• Chris MacKenzie, Sheet Harbour, 20 years
• William MacKeigan, Pictou, 30 years
• Travis MacNeil, Little Bras d'Or, 20 years
• Gerald Parfitt, Falmouth, 30 years
• Christa Rhynold, Guysborough County, 20 years
• Wayne Ryer, Shelburne County, 20 years
• Peter Simms, Hubbards, 20 years
• Stephen Veinotte, New Germany, 20 years
• Shawn Welsh, Darmouth, 20 years