A fifth Canadian paramedic has been killed in the line of duty since May of last year. Paul W. Patterson, a Primary Care Paramedic with Sun Parlour Emergency Services in Chatham, Ontario, died while responding to a motor vehicle collision on Sunday, February 25th. Paul was only 30 years old, and had graduated from Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology in 2001. Details regarding funeral arrangements and the accident that claimed Paul's life can be found on the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) web site.
Paul's death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by emergency medical services providers each and every day in our work to save the lives of others. Like all emergency services, we're often asked to assist others in times of poor weather and difficult conditions. It's especially difficult for those who knew and worked with Paul to have had to respond to the accident that claimed his life, and my thoughts are prayers are with those individuals as well as his family and friends.
The Paramedic Association of Manitoba has sent condolences to Sun Parlour EMS staff and management, and asked them to convey our sympathies to Paul's family. We will be represented at the line of duty death funeral planned for Friday, March 2nd in Strathroy, Ontario. Anyone planning to attend the funeral is asked to notify the OPA by email...that information can be found following the LODD notice on their web site.
PAM asks that paramedics wear LODD pins or black ribbons on their uniform in honor of Paul's memory. EMS services should also lower flags to half mast until the funeral has been held.
Details regarding the Canadian paramedic line of duty deaths that have occurred in the past year can be found in the press release issued by the Paramedic Association of Manitoba posted on our web site.
Stay safe everyone!
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