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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

November 26, 2024

Toronto Paramedic Services welcomes 55 new Paramedic and Communication Centre frontline recruits at graduation and awards ceremony

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) Chief Bikram Chawla and City of Toronto officials welcomed 55 new frontline emergency services staff to the City's workforce at a graduation ceremony.

The graduates, including 38 Primary Care Paramedics and 17 Emergency Telecommunicators, completed comprehensive TPS orientation and training programs. They join the dedicated team of TPS professionals who provide exceptional pre-hospital care to Toronto's residents and visitors.

Alongside celebrating new graduates, the ceremony also honoured existing TPS staff with awards for long service and Paramedic bravery. Seven TPS staff with a minimum of 12 years of service received service awards. Seven of the long service award recipients also received bars that were added to their medals – each bar representing another 10 years of service.

The awards ceremony also celebrated 11 recipients of the new Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery. This award recognizes individual acts of outstanding courage and bravery performed by members of Ontario's paramedic services. The commendation for bravery, a provincial award that was elevated to a medal in 2023, is a testament to the character and calibre of the Paramedics who serve our city.

TPS is staffed by skilled Paramedics who provide 24-hour pre-hospital emergency care that can be the difference between life and death for ill or injured individuals. The TPS Central Ambulance Communications Centre is the critical link between the community and paramedic-based health care. Emergency Medical Dispatchers and Call Takers provide immediate life support instructions using an accredited call triage system and modern telecommunications technology to ensure people in need have timely access to emergency medical resources.

Quotes:

“Congratulations to our Toronto Paramedic Services’ Paramedic and Communications graduates who will be invaluable additions to the City's frontline emergency services. As you join the rest of the Toronto Public Service, we deeply appreciate your dedication to the health and safety of our residents and visitors. It is also an honour to recognize the recipients of the Long Service Medal and the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery. Thank you for going above and beyond in your commitment to public service.”

– Mayor Olivia Chow

“I am incredibly proud of our outstanding Paramedics, Call Takers, Emergency Medical Dispatchers and support and leadership staff for their steadfast commitment to caring for our community. We are thrilled to welcome today’s graduates to Toronto Paramedic Services. They join our team of skilled and dedicated professionals providing essential pre-hospital emergency care to residents and visitors every day. We’re also proud to recognize those receiving commendations for their unwavering service to Torontonians.”

– Chief Bikram Chawla, Toronto Paramedic Services

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Dineen Robinson, Toronto Paramedic Services, 416-338-7598
Dineen.Robinson@toronto.ca

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