United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Advanced Care Paramedics, (in no order) Yan Bellefeuille and Jean-François Fillion, and Primary Care Paramedics, Stéphane Huppé and Christian Larochelle with their Ontario Medals for Paramedic Bravery which they received on May 27, 2024, for their actions in May 2023 in providing care during an incident in Limoges in which three Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were shot, one fatally. Courtesy Photo
L’ORIGNAL – Four members of the Emergency Services team of the United Counties have received Ontario Medals for Paramedic Bravery.
On May 27, 2024, the Province of Ontario presented Ontario Medals for Paramedic Bravery to United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Advanced Care Paramedics, Yan Bellefeuille and Jean-François Fillion, and Primary Care Paramedics, Stéphane Huppé and Christian Larochelle.
The ceremony, which wrapped-up Paramedic Services Week, paid tribute to Paramedics who have demonstrated great courage risking their lives to save the lives of others. The medals were presented by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
In May 2023, paramedics Bellefeuille, Fillion, Huppé, and Larochelle responded to a 911 call in the village of Limoges and provided life-saving care to two police officers, despite the danger of the situation and possible presence of an armed suspect on the scene. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sergeant Eric Mueller, one of three officers who had responded to a call of a disturbance was shot and killed in the early stages of the incident.
“Our Paramedics respond to a wide range of medical emergencies,” said Mr. Marc- André Périard, Director of the UCPR’s Emergency Services. “Every day, they act with composure and altruism. They work closely together to provide the best care as quickly as possible. We are very proud of our team’s accomplishments.”
“Congratulations to our four Paramedics,” added Mr. Normand Riopel, interim Warden of the UCPR. “The medal they received is a testament to their courage and heroism. The United Counties of Prescott and Russell can count on a team of seasoned Paramedics who are dedicated to the well-being of our community. Our warmest thanks to them.”
To learn more about the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery recipients, visit the Government of Ontario’s website.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
