Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Fallen Paramedics Memorial at the B.C. Legislature, members of BC Emergency Health Services, Ambulance Paramedics of BC and the BCAS 10-7 Association Society gathered for the official day of remembrance for paramedics who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On the Legislature lawn on Tuesday, May 7, community members, elected officials and paramedics gathered to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while on the job.
"I want to express my very deep appreciation for current and former B.C. ambulance paramedics, emergency call takers and dispatchers for the work that you do each and every day," said B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne. "You provide access to emergency health services for people in communities large and small all across this beautiful province, and we are so grateful for your unwavering support and dedication to people."
She specifically acknowledged the paramedics who gave support after the attack at a Lapu Lapu Day festival last month where an SUV plowed through a crowd of festival-goers in Vancouver, killing 11 and wounding dozens more.
Additionally, she mentioned the deaths of Tofino-based veteran paramedics 鈥� Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka 鈥� who died in 2010 when they lost control of their ambulance and crashed down a cliff.
"They were two incredible community members who gave so much to our community and it was shocking, it was devastating and we live with the memory today of our dear friends and I know that losing them made a lasting impact on my community," said Osborne, who is also the MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim and the former mayor of Tofino.
Leanne Heppell, the chief ambulance officer of BCEHS, said paramedics are the first point of hope in times of crisis, and that their "professionalism and courage" in the face of adversity is outstanding.
"Paramedics are the front line of the health care system. They perform a critical role in caring for the people of British Columbia, from our rural and remote communities to our towns and cities," said Heppell. "These brave individuals choose this profession and they do it every day with great pride."
