Recognizing critical work of paramedics

A Richmond Hill man who owes his life to the quick actions of seven York Region paramedics attended Paramedic Services Week celebrations to help mark the life-saving impact paramedics have every day.

Earlier this year, Ilkhom and his family reunited with the paramedics who brought him back to life after he suffered a heart attack at home last May. Moments after paramedics arrived, he went into cardiac arrest and his heart stopped for six minutes. With no pulse and no time to spare, the team performed critical interventions while rushing him to hospital, York Region reports.

The paramedics’ efforts were recognized with the Lightning Bolt Award, a symbol of the powerful defibrillation shock and the swift, decisive action needed to save lives in cardiac emergencies. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, about 40,000 cardiac arrests happen in Canada each year and survival outside of hospital is rare. That’s why cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training are so vital, York Region notes. Visit york.ca/CPR to learn more.

Paramedic Services Week ran from May 17 to 23. Celebrations were part of York Region’s annual Family Fun Day, held Saturday, May 23 at the Paramedic Services Building. Family Fun Day also marked National Public Works Week, with celebrations held at the York Region Public Works Operations Centre.

If you missed your chance during Paramedic Services Week to thank a paramedic who made a difference in your life, visit york.ca/ThankAParamedic.

Pictured, from left, York Region paramedic Nicolas Coletta, Richmond Hill resident Ilkhom, his son Amir, paramedic Emily McGroarty and Ilkhom’s wife Reguina. Photo courtesy of York Region.