Three Dufferin paramedics recognized for excellence in service at Queen’s Park

Written By MARNI WALSH

Three Dufferin paramedics were among 77 recognized with exemplary service medals at the Ontario Legislature in Queen's Park on November 28th by The Honourable Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. All those awarded have provided exemplary emergency medical services to the public for a minimum of thirty years.

The Dufferin recipients of the Governor General's Emergency Medical Service Exemplary Service Medal included Robert Savoury, Paul de Prinse, and Tom Reid.      With more than 8,000 paramedics currently practicing in the Province of Ontario these three paramedics are distinguished in a very select group.

The Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1994 by the late Governor General Romeo LeBlanc as a component of the Canadian Honours System.  These bars are presented to paramedics who have served for at least thirty years (first bar), or forty years (Second bar) in a meritorious manner, characterized by the highest standards of good conduct, industry and efficiency.  To qualify, at least ten of these years of service must have been street level (or air) duty involving potential risk to the individual.

Robert Savoury hails from Orangeville, where he attended Orangeville District Secondary School (ODSS) and raised his family. Currently an Advance Care Paramedic with Dufferin County, Mr. Savoury has served the EMS for 30 years. Unfortunately, due to a surgery on his hand, Mr. Savoury was unable to attend the award ceremony. He is wished a speedy recovery.

Paul de Prinse also attended ODSS and raised his family in Orangeville. Mr. de Prinse has given 35 years of exemplary service as a paramedic. He is the Deputy Chief of Operations for Dufferin County Emergency Medical Services.

Tom Reid attended Centre Dufferin District High School in Shelburne. A father of four, Mr. Reid and his wife Wendy, live in Melancthon Township. Tom Reid has given 35 years of exemplary service to Emergency Medical Service and is the Chief of Dufferin County EMS.

“It is amazing to me how fast the time has gone,” says Chief Tom Reid. “The changes and improvements to Dufferin EMS have been overwhelming. It has been a privilege to serve in our home community.”