Swift Current EMS honours fallen comrades
May 25th was a day of remembrance for the Swift Current EMS team.
Local Emergency Medical Service workers held a special ceremony to honour the four most recent Canadian EMS personal who gave their lives in the line of duty.
“These people sacrificed everything for providing EMS service to the people of not only just our province but also to Canadians,” Swift Current EMS Manager Nelson Pompu said.
The four members were Dustin Dagenais, Christopher Snowball, Francois Pichette and Jacques Beauregard. In remembrance of their contribution, the Swift Current EMS added their names to a plaque, which lists all EMS personal who died while working.
“Anywhere we are, we have a duty to act when there’s something happening and somebody needs help,” Pompu said. “It doesn’t matter where they are or what it is. We have to be able to and be willing to respond and help. These people gave everything in order to be able to do that, so it’s important for us to honour them and to do it right.”
There are several aspects to EMS care. Personal can be found in air ambulances, on industrial job sites, an even in combat zones.
“The frontline medics save a lot of lives,” Pompu said. “There’s a lot of people that would not be walking today, if it was not for the frontline paramedics.”
Several dignitaries were on hand for the ceremony, including Ken Luciak from the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, and Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Service Association president Gerry Schriemer. Numerous local dignitaries and residents also came to offer their support. It was a gesture, Pompu said, the team really appreciated.
“We’ve had such good support from the people of the city and we don’t always have time to acknowledge the thanks, but we sure feel it in our hearts. They treat us really good here and we’re thankful for that.”