The travelling Paramedic Memorial Bell honours Canadian Paramedics who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The District of Nipissing Paramedic Services was given the honour of being a stop on its journey across the province.
“This was a great opportunity for the District of Nipissing Paramedic Services to recognize all Paramedics, including Military and Search and Rescue who have lost their lives on the job,” explained local primary care paramedic Evan Jeanneault. She was speaking about the virtual online ceremony which included speeches by local dignitaries and those representing the profession.
The local ceremony with a limited number present due to COVID restrictions was held at the main Paramedic Headquarters in North Bay.
“The District of Nipissing Paramedic Services Honour Guard was present. They did a small ceremony to ring the bell as well,” said Jeanneault.
The names of the deceased paramedics were read aloud, with the bell tolling for each one.
“The ceremony honoured the 51 names on the Paramedic Memorial Bell who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” Jeanneault said.
The bell also rang out for Paramedics who died by suicide.
“Paramedics have evolved over the past 50 years. It is extremely disheartening whenever you are in the community and you hear us called ambulance drivers. We’re a lot more than that.”
Jeanneualt went on to say there are countless ways for paramedics to get injured on the job.
“Paramedics work every day to protect their communities and risk their lives. People aren’t predictable. You’re never sure what could happen. Injuries can even happen from physical assault. And we’re often under verbal assault from patients and family members especially, unfortunately. We’re dealing in significant times of crisis for people in their life and it is challenging for them to appreciate what is going on.”
Paramedics are a tight-knit group that understands the pressures of the job.
What happens to one, impacts them all.
“These are my friends co-workers and my work family.”
The concept of a Memorial Bell was established years ago.
It is usually presented at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paramedic Ride from Toronto to Ottawa.
Money raised will go towards the creation of a permanent Canadian Paramedic Memorial.
“The Bell is being sent across Ontario to different services. Usually, it travels on a bike but COVID has changed that,” explained Jeanneault.
“It is a transient memorial because currently there is no permanent memorial within Canada for Paramedic Services, but funds are being raised to get a permanent memorial through the Canadian Paramedic Memorial Fund.”
The Memorial Bell will continue its journey over the coming weeks, eventually making its way to Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a closing ceremony.
