Celebrating Our Paramedics

Wednesday, 29 May 2019 07:23

It is Paramedics Week across Canada and staff are being recognized for their hard work and dedication in Oxford County and the positive impact they have on our community.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Paramedic Services are among the services being recognized for Paramedics Week.

Oxford County is the primary response area for Oxford County Paramedic Services, but they will assist other areas during an emergency.

Chief of Oxford County Paramedic Services Ben Addley says they're called in times of crisis and in need throughout the community.

"We are a part of the County delivery so we actually cover the entire County as the primary paramedic service. Ontario is a bit of a unique system in that in an emergency situation, we will cross borders and boundaries to provide service based on the closest available ambulance. So it is what we call a seamless network across province, but our home area is that of Oxford County and our primary response area."

This year's theme for Paramedics Week across the country is "Celebrating Successes."

Addley says he is proud of the work his staff has done, creating a positive impact on others' lives.

"I'm certainly proud of our staff and the job that they perform. We have a very respected and very professional paramedic service here in Oxford County, and I'm certainly proud of them to be the Chief of the service. I know what it meant to me, as a front line paramedic, to be able to go out and help people, to see the positive impact that you can create in an family or an individual. To see when the successes, and I think this is really a year that we're trying to focus on is the successes, and when you are able to have a positive impact that certainly makes you feel good about the work that you do on a day-to-day basis. I think, like I said, our staff should be proud of the work they do and the contributions they give to the community."

Addley adds their staff not only gives back to the community through their job every day, but they're also a very community-minded group. They'll be participating in a fundraiser later this week in support of the Children's Aid Society of Oxford County.

The Oxford County Paramedics Services serve over 106,000 residents in the County and cover over 2,000 square kilometres. They responded to over 14,600 calls for emergency service last year.

Paramedics Week goes from May 26th to June 1st.