Three local paramedics received provincial medals at the Hastings County Emergency Services Committee meeting on Wednesday for paramedic bravery, and were recognized for their efforts .
Paramedic Dominic Rehayem was recognized for a remote call he attended in 2016, for an ATV rider who was stranded by water and suffering from hypothermia after an accident.
Paramedics Roger Litwiller and Dave Valdes were the first on scene to a fall-detection alarm when they heard a smoke detector alarm.
You can read the full press release below:
Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Paramedics Dominic Rehayem, Roger Litwiller, and Dave Valdes have each received the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery and were recognized at the March Emergency Services Committee meeting by chair, Garnet Thompson, and Warden Bob Mullin for their outstanding achievement.
“In 2015, the highest award for paramedic acts of courage was the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery, awarded by the Lieutenant-Governor, of which there have been 56 issued. The Ontario Paramedic Chiefs have advocated for a Paramedic Medal of Bravery to be awarded, similar to those given to firefighters and police officers since 1976,” explained Chief Carl Bowker. “After lobbying by the Paramedic Chiefs of Ontario, in 2023, the first Paramedic Medal of Bravery was issued, and Ontario made the decision to recognize the previous winners of the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery, and we are extremely grateful.”
Paramedic Dominic Rehayem was recognized for a remote call he attended in 2016, for an ATV rider who was stranded by water and suffering from hypothermia after an accident. Using a rope that he anchored to a tree, he waded across a fast-moving stream to reach the patient. He then brought the patient back across the water and transported him to an abandoned hunting cabin where he was able to provide aid and then, when safe to do so, transferred him to a waiting ambulance when he was taken to the hospital.
Paramedics Roger Litwiller and Dave Valdes were the first on scene to a fall-detection alarm when they heard a smoke detector alarm. When they approached, they noticed a smoke-filled room with the patient lying unconscious on the floor. The paramedics entered and crawled beneath the smoke and extracted the patient to an ambulance that transported him and both medics to the hospital where they were all treated for smoke
inhalation.“These medals show us the types of challenges our paramedics face on a daily basis to support our residents,” stated Committee Chair Garnet Thompson. “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to serving our communities.”
“Your courage, dedication, and selflessness in the face of danger are truly inspiring,” said Warden Mullin. “These prestigious awards and honour are well deserved.”
