Bruce County paramedics recognized with Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program awards

Thursday’s Bruce County council meeting began with the recognition of 11 members of the Bruce County Paramedic Services team.

The annual Pre-hospital Cardiac Save Awards honour the efforts of paramedics who provided life-saving treatment to a patient who had no vital signs. The patient was able to leave the hospital after a cardiac event, thanks to the early actions of the first-responder.

Since 2021, nine primary care paramedics have received this prestigious award from the Southwestern Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program operating through the London Health Sciences Centre:

2021 recipients

• Michael Donnelly
• Brittney Kealey

2023 recipients

• Shaun Bredl
• Courtney Trotter

2024 Recipients

• Josh Allan
• Michael Bohnert
• Connor Charette
• Ben Rees
• Chris Wynn

Notably, this is the ninth career Pre-hospital Cardiac Save Award for Josh Allan, a shift superintendent with the Bruce County Paramedic Services team. Allan received his fifth milestone pin at the meeting. The honour of receiving a pin occurs in installments, starting with the first and then at every fifth benchmark to the 25th successful save.

2024 MEDICAL DIRECTORS’ COMMENDATION AWARD

In addition, two primary care paramedics, Marilyn Ballagh and Ken Johnstone, received the 2024 Medical Directors’ Commendation Award which acknowledges the critical decision-making in delivering exceptional care in a pre-hospital setting.

“Thank you for your outstanding service to our community,” said Bruce County warden Luke Charbonneau. “Your efforts make a difference, and we appreciate your continued service and dedication.”

All of these recipients are regularly stationed in Sauble Beach, Port Elgin, and Tobermory.

The Southwestern Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program is the governing body under which the Bruce County Paramedic Services practice.



Gathered for the presentation of awards at Thursday’s Bruce County council meeting, in the back, are paramedic Josh Allan (left), director/chief of paramedic services Steve Schaus, paramedics Ken Johnstone and Michael Bohnert, and warden Luke Charbonneau; and in the front, are paramedics Ben Rees (left), Shaun Bredl, Connor Charette, and Marilyn Ballagh