In past summers, paramedics from Ontario would get together to take part in the Memorial Bike Ride to Parliament Hill to honour the memory of Canada’s fallen paramedics, combat medics, and search and rescue technicians, and to shed light on the issues of PTSD and suicide. But this year plans had to adjust to the times, so now the Memorial Bell is travelling across Ontario, stopping for a few days with each paramedic service to honour the paramedics who have fallen in the Line of Duty. 

“Getting bicycles and riders from Northern Ontario to Toronto and then home again, to take part in the annual ride was a challenge, so when the organizing committee asked us if we wanted to hold our own ride and ceremony, we jumped at the chance,” said Deputy Chief Andrew Dillon. “The event allows us to give our respects to those we’ve lost and their families, while also reminding us that there are those still serving that suffer in silence.” 

The Memorial Bell will spend time in Thunder Bay during tomorrow’s Memorial Bike Ceremony where paramedics will depart from EMS headquarters on 105 Junot Avenue at approximately 10:30am. Escorted by police, they will cycle to Hillcrest Park for the Memorial Ceremony at 11am. 

Over the past couple of days, paramedics from Superior North EMS have travelled around the region taking photos with the Bell at area landmarks such as Kakabeka Falls and the Terry Fox Monument, and were also joined by members of the Fort William First Nation, including Chief Collins, for photos on Mount McKay.

“It was important for us to take the opportunity to show off our part of Northwestern Ontario and I am positive our photos will do our area proud,” remarked Dillon. 

 

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Contact: Andrew Dillon, Deputy Chief of Professional Standards, 807-625-4615