Toronto Paramedic Services Long Service Medal Criteria
Created by the City of Toronto Clerk of Council, under the authority of the City of Toronto Act (COTA), the Toronto Paramedic Services Long Service Medal may be awarded to members of Toronto Paramedic Services who have completed twelve years of service as an employee of Toronto Paramedic Services. The medal is awarded to all ranks and/or positions, and each nominee must have a record of good conduct during the final eight years of each claimed service period. Nominees must have been employed on, or after, 1 January 1999 to be eligible.
Nominees must be free of significant discipline for the final two (2) years of claimed service, which includes incidents of suspension from duty (paid or unpaid), and/or incidents which violate the Ambulance Act of Ontario, and/or other legislation, regulation, statute, municipal or Divisional policy or Standing Order which may be applicable to the nominee in relation to their employment with the City of Toronto and/or Toronto Emergency Medical Services, for which the nominee has not been pardoned or discharged, and/or removed from the nominees’ personnel record.
The medal may be awarded to staff in each programme area of Toronto Paramedic Services upon completion of twelve years of service while directly employed within the Service. Employment in other areas of the City of Toronto and/or other EMS Services outside of Toronto Paramedic Services cannot be counted towards the medal.
No other long service, good conduct or efficiency medal service is eligible for the award of the Toronto Paramedic Services LSM. The medal may be awarded to persons in possession of any long service, good conduct or efficiency decoration or medal clasps, provided that the individual has completed the full qualifying periods of service for each award and that no service qualifying towards one award is permitted to count towards any other. The service need not be continuous.
The nomination is to be made by the nominee’s immediate Superintendent. Each nomination is to be countersigned by the nominee’s unit Commander, demonstrating support for the nomination.
Toronto Paramedic Services LSM Description
Bars (Clasp)
A bar shall be awarded for every subsequent period of ten years of qualifying service. The tombac bar is 0.25 inches (6 mm) high, has the Ontario trillium in the centre surmounted, and is silver in colour. The bar for this medal is called a clasp. The nomination process for a bar is identical to the nomination process for the initial awarding of the medal.
Medal
It is a round medal, 3.5 centimetres across the flats, with raised embellishments. The medal is .800 fine silver, finished in silver gilt.
Obverse
The heraldic emblem of Toronto Paramedic Services, centre mounted, with the inscription: TORONTO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, or TORONTO PARAMEDIC SERVICES within the body of the heraldic emblem.
Reverse
The Coat Of Arms of the City of Toronto is centre mounted, with the symbolism of each element as follows:
The Golden Eagle is a symbol of our indigenous background, known for its strength, bravery and power. The City Wall is a symbol of the City’s responsibility to shelter and protect its people. On the wall are the symbols of the former City of York (a York rose with green thorns), the former City of North York (a heart for the “city with heart”), and the former Borough of East York (also a York rose with gold centre). The Beaver is a symbol of the City’s history for industry and activity. The Intertwining Collar symbolizes the added strength of working in partnership and the motto “Diversity Our Strength.” The Green Alder-leaf is a symbol of the former City of Etobicoke whose name means a “place where alders grow.” It is in the gold hexagon shape hanging from the collar of the beaver. The Bear represents strength, determination, caring and protection of its offspring. The earth is represented at the base of the shield. The Columbine Flower is a symbol of the former City of Scarborough. It is hanging on the collar of the bear in the gold hexagon shape. The placements of the columbine flower and the alder-leaf show the geographic locations of Scarborough on the east and Etobicoke on the west. The Green Grass symbolizes the many parks and recreational facilities of which the City is proud. The Three Rivers represent the Humber, Don and Rouge Rivers that flow into Lake Ontario, with the inscription around the bottom edge: Diversity Our Strength.
Mounting
The medal has a solid bar, thus the ribbon passes through a narrow bar between the scroll arms.
Ribbon
The ribbon is blue, 1.5 inches (39 mm) wide, with three equally spaced Or (gold) stripes. In more understandable language, the ribbon is blue with three Or (gold) stripes and a single blue stitch on each edge. A silver trillium is worn on the ribbon in undress for each bar awarded.
Canadian EMS Exemplary Service Medal
Presented by the Governor General of Canada
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
The Canadian EMS Exemplary Service Medal is a national honour awarded by the Governor General of Canada, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, on an annual basis since 1994. While not an award with the Service, many members may be eligible for consideration and nomination to the office of the Governor General of Canada for the awarding of the Canadian EMS Exemplary Service Medal (EMS ESM).
The EMS ESM may be awarded to any person who:
a. Is an Emergency Medical Services employee on or after October 31, 1991;
b. Has completed at least twenty years of service with Emergency Medical Services, at least ten of which may have been served in the performance of duties involving potential risk, as determined by the Advisory Committee; and,
c. Has a record of exemplary service of such a high standard as to merit award of the Medal.
The nomination process includes a detailed submission to the Services’ Honours & Awards Committee for review and processing; recommendation to the Ontario Honours & Awards Committee for review and processing; then, finally on to the Canadian ESM Advisory Committee who reviews the nomination, then recommends to the Governor General for awarding.
The EMS ESM consists of a medal for 20 years of qualifying service, and a Bar for each additional ten (10) years of qualifying service.
This national honour is awarded once annually, with a “Call For Nominations” published with a nomination form for completion. Once completed, the Service will conduct a review for submission to the Ontario Honours & Awards where it is once again reviewed, and if the nomination is approved it is submitted to the Chancellery of Honours for review. In late spring the Office of the Governor General of Canada will announce the recipients of the Canadian EMS ESM.
This award recognizes individual acts of outstanding courage and bravery performed by members of Ontario’s Paramedic Services. Nominations must be made through Toronto Paramedic Service and endorsed by the Chief.
Eligibility
The person you nominate (the nominee) must:
- Be employed as a Paramedic for a land or air ambulance service in Ontario
- Have responded to an incident that this nomination is base upon that occurred in the past 24 months
- Be endorsed by the Chief. If the nominee is the Chief, they must be endorsed by the Chief Administrative Officer or the Clerk of Council
You can nominate someone who has passed away.
You cannot nominate yourself.
Required Information
To submit a nomination, you will need to provide:
- A written electronic submission on the OMPB Nomination Form via the Toronto Paramedic Services Blog
- The nominee’s first name, last name, employee number, personal email address, phone number and EHS unique ID number
- The nominator’s first name, last name, email address and phone number
- The date, time and location (address, intersection, municipality) of the incident
- Call/Incident number
- Vehicle number
- Identify if on-duty or off-duty incident
- A detailed account of the circumstances and conditions under which your nominee carried out their actions
- An electronic copy of any Incident Reports and related documents
If the incident occurred more than 24 months ago, the nomination must include a letter explaining the reason for the delay.
In the case where more than one Paramedic is being recommended for an incident, you must submit separate nominations for each. Each nomination must give separate detailed accounts of the specific actions and involvement of each individual.
Additional Information
You may include additional materials if they give more insight into your nominee’s actions or the circumstances and conditions of the incident, such as:
- Accounts of the incident from other First Response Emergency Service personnel
- Incident Reports from other First Response Emergency Service personnel
- Clear and legible diagrams/photos of the scene (if appropriate)
- Relevant newspaper articles
Note: Do not include identifiable information (for example, patient name, OHIP number) about any civilian involved in the incident.
The attachments for the detailed account of the incident, Incident Report(s), and any supporting documents are accepted in these formats: doc, docx, pdf, jpeg, jpg, gif, png, txt, rtf. The maximum file size for each is 2MB.
Deadline
The deadline is December 5th of each year.
How to Nominate Someone
- Gather the required information.
- Submit your nomination on the Toronto Paramedic Services Staff Blog OMPB Nomination portal.
Tips
In your nomination, provide as much detail and description as possible regarding the incident, the scene, and the actions of your nominee. This will provide the reviewing members with a better understanding of the incident.
The reviewing members will take into consideration:
- Initiative – what obstacles or deterrents needed to be overcome to rescue or save an individual, including:
- Level of exposure to the hazard (e.g., if the nominee entered a building that was hazardous due to an active fire/CO2/other, how far into the building did they go).
- Height or depth that had to be overcome.
- In the case of real or potential assault, physical characteristics of the assailant, weapons, etc.
- Terrain/water and/or weather conditions.
- Peril – the degree of peril and persistence despite the risk, including:
- Real peril: Obvious risk to life (e.g., entry to flame engulfed building/vehicle, unaided water rescue, weapon confrontations).
- Perceived peril: Unknown circumstances during rescue/treatment (e.g., involvement of unknown/undetermined fluid/gas leaks or munitions/explosives).
- Pictures, media coverage.
- Witness and other third-party statements.
- Allied service statements.
- Whether allied services were on the scene and what their role was.
Toronto Paramedic Services is proud to recognize the good works and service of its members, and to this end has a number of honours and awards that members may be eligible for. Below is a list of recognition levels that are available.
External Recognition & Awards
Ontario Award For Paramedic Bravery
Presented by the Province of Ontario
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
The Ontario Award For Paramedic Bravery is awarded by the Province of Ontario. Nominations forms are available at the Ontario Honours & Awards website, but must be countersigned by the nominees’ Chief of Service prior to submission to the Province of Ontario.
The Ontario Award For Paramedic Bravery may be awarded to any person who:
a. Is employed by a Paramedic Service, under the jurisdiction of the Ambulance Act, in Ontario.
b. Has performed an act of outstanding bravery in the face of grave, personal danger in the past 24 months, either on-duty or off-duty; and,
c. Posthumous nominations are accepted.
This provincial honour is awarded once annually, with a “Call For Nominations” published with a nomination form for completion. Once completed, the Service will conduct a review for submission to the Ontario Honours & Awards where it is once again reviewed for consideration. In Office of the Premier of Ontario will announce the recipients of the Ontario Award For Paramedic Bravery.
The following awards are presented by the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC)
Ontario Association Of Paramedic Chiefs N.H. McNally Award Of Bravery
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded annually by the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC), the Dr. N.H. McNally Award Of Bravery is awarded annually for acts of conspicuous bravery by Paramedics in the performance of their duty. Nominations are solely based upon those submitted to the Services’ Honours & Awards Committee for Service based Valour Awards.
Ontario Association Of Paramedic Chiefs Award Of Courage
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded annually by the OAPC, the Award Of Courage is a companion to the N. H. McNally Award of Bravery, except that it considers conspicuous acts of courage by paramedics while off duty. Nominations are solely based upon those submitted to the Services’ Honours & Awards Committee for Service based Valour Awards.
The Honourary Chief Richard Rohmer Commendation
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded annually by the OAPC, The Honorary Chief Richard Rohmer Commendation may be awarded as follows:
a. To uniformed members of Ontario’s Paramedic Services who perform a deed or activity beyond the demands of normal duty that brings meritorious credit or is of significant benefit to the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, or their individual Paramedic Service member;
b. To civilian members working with Ontario’s Paramedic Services who perform a deed or activity beyond the demands of normal duty that brings meritorious credit or is of significant benefit to the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, or their individual Paramedic Service member; and,
c. To persons external to the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs or any Ontario based Paramedic Service who perform a deed or activity that is of significant support and benefit, and that brings commendable credit to the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs or any Ontario based Paramedic Service.
Nomination for this award is through submission of a detailed account of the activity that is believed to demonstrate the virtues of the intent to the Services’ Honours & Awards Committee for submission to the OAPC.
Ontario Association Of Paramedic Chiefs Humanitarian Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded by the OAPC, the Humanitarian Award recognizes an act or acts of unselfish donation of time and/or money by members of Ontario’s EMS/Paramedic Services to relieve the suffering of humanity. Such activities may include disaster relief (at home or abroad) or the compassionate and altruistic support provided to refugees. It is not an annual award and only presented on merit.
Ontario Association Of Paramedic Chiefs Richard J. Armstrong Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded by the OAPC, the Richard J. Armstrong Leadership Award is awarded annually to an individual recognized for both outstanding leadership and significant contributions to Paramedicine in Ontario. This award recognizes Ontario’s finest Chiefs, Directors, Managers, and Program Coordinators.
Internal Recognitions & Awards
Toronto Paramedic Services Long Service Medal
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
The Toronto Paramedic Services Long Service Medal may be awarded to members of Toronto Paramedic Services who have completed twelve years of service as an employee of Toronto Paramedic Services. The medal may be awarded to all members of the Service, so long as the nominee has a record of good conduct during the final eight years of the qualifying service period. Nominees must have been employed on, or after, 1 January 1999 to be eligible.
Nominees must be free of significant discipline for the final two (2) years of qualifying service, which includes incidents of suspension from duty (paid or unpaid), and/or incidents which violate the Ambulance Act of Ontario, and/or other legislation, regulation, statute, municipal or Divisional policy or Standing Order which may be applicable to the nominee in relation to their employment with the City of Toronto and/or Toronto Paramedic Services, for which the nominee has not been pardoned or discharged, and/or removed from the nominees’ personnel record.
The medal may be awarded to staff in each programme area of Toronto Paramedic Services upon completion of twelve years of service while directly employed within the Service. Employment in other areas of the City of Toronto and/or other EMS/Paramedic Services outside of Toronto Paramedic Services cannot be counted towards the medal.
No other long service, good conduct or efficiency medal service is eligible for the award of the Toronto Paramedic Services LSM. The medal may be awarded to persons in possession of any long service, good conduct or efficiency decoration or medal clasps, provided that the individual has completed the full qualifying periods of service for each award and that no service qualifying towards one award is permitted to count towards any other. The service need not be continuous.
The nomination is to be made by the nominee’s immediate Superintendent/Supervisor. Each nomination is to be countersigned by the nominee’s unit Commander, demonstrating support for the nomination.
The Toronto LSM consists of a medal for 12 years of qualifying service, and a Bar for each additional ten (10) years of qualifying service.
Valour Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
To be awarded in recognition of performance above and beyond the call of duty as evidenced by an act of bravery. This award can be considered for incidents on-duty or off-duty. This award is presented as warranted, not necessarily annually.
William J. Allen Valour Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
To be awarded in recognition of an exhibit of valour in the face of extreme danger where the nominee’s life was placed at risk. This award can be considered for incidents on-duty or off-duty. This award is presented as warranted, not necessarily annually.
Paramedic Services Merit Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded to a member who demonstrates outstanding initiative and meritorious execution of their duties and responsibilities.
The John Dean Chief’s Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
The John Dean Chief’s Award recognizes two distinct areas:
a. Awarded to the individual, or group, that have developed innovative programmes and/or initiatives that have augmented and/or improved service delivery; and/or,
b. Recognizing volunteer activities by a member on their personal time that brings both a positive impact and attention to the volunteer’s organization and Paramedic Services in the community.
Support Staff Of The Year Award
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to the “support” staff member who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, service and support to their workplace colleagues and/or members of the public through their work. Characteristics of this nominee would easily be described as someone who is a professional who demonstrates an exceptional work ethic.
Communicator Of The Year
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to the Emergency Medical Dispatcher who demonstrates an outstanding dedication, service and support to their workplace colleagues through their work. Characteristics of this nominee would easily be described as someone who is a professional, who is a role model for others and holds an advanced working knowledge of the communications systems and processes. This nominee consistently demonstrates an exceptional work ethic.
Communications Training Officer Mentor Award
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to the Communications Training Officer who consistently creates a positive environment for the mentorship of staff. They demonstrate an advanced working knowledge of the Services’ communications systems and processes, taking initiative and pride in mentoring others. Characteristics of this nominee would easily be described as someone who is an advocate for the patient, their peers and those they mentor, and consistently displays examples of good customer service. A positive influence on others, they are motivated and committed to excellence and shows initiative in their work and work ethic. The nominee is willing to assist with working groups, panels or special projects, and consistently demonstrates respect to others.
Senior Emergency Medical Dispatcher Leadership Award
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to the Senior Emergency Medical Dispatcher who demonstrates outstanding dedication and proactive service and support to their workplace colleagues through their work. Nominees demonstrate advanced leadership skills, and has an advanced working knowledge of the communications system and processes. Characteristics of this nominee would easily be described as someone who is an advocate for the patient, their peers and those they lead and mentor, with a focus upon excellence in customer service. A positive influence on others, they are motivated and committed to excellence and shows initiative in their work and work ethic. The nominee is willing to assist with working groups, panels or special projects, and consistently demonstrates respect to others, whilst fostering a positive work environment.
ACE Individual Awards Of Excellence
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
This award is performance based for Emergency Medical Dispatchers who excel at providing compassionate and effective patient care whilst taking emergency calls. At the end of each quarter, EMDs who achieve the ‘ACE’ level of compliance (call review score of greater than ‘8’ on a minimum of six reviewed calls) will receive recognition based on their category range. There are four categories of the ACE Individual Awards of Excellence.
Four Categories:
- First Quarter – Letter of recognition from the recipient’s Superintendents
- Two Consecutive Quarters – Letter of recognition from the CACC Commander and CACC Education Commander
- Three Consecutive Quarters – Letter of recognition from the CACC Deputy Chief
- Four Quarters – Recognition from the Chief of Toronto Paramedic Services
NOTE: The ACE Individual Awards Of Excellence are awarded based on performance and are not eligible for nomination.
Paramedic Of The Year
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to the Paramedic who demonstrates outstanding dedication, service and support to their workplace colleagues and members of the public through their professionalism and skills. A patient advocate who has a profound commitment to the highest level of patient care and customer service. Characteristics of this nominee would be easily described as someone who is a consummate professional who demonstrates an exceptional work ethic.
Paramedic Services Pioneer Of The Year
Number of Recipients: 1 Recipient
Awarded to a member of the Toronto Paramedic Services Pioneer Association who demonstrates an outstanding dedication, service and support to the Pioneer Association, Paramedic Service, and/or the community at large through their actions. Characteristics of this nominee would be easily described as someone who is a caring member of the Pioneer Association who demonstrates exceptional personal dedication to his/her community.
Paramedic Services Deputy Chiefs’ Health & Safety Award
Number of Nominations: Unlimited
Awarded to the individual or group who, through their efforts, have promoted awareness in health and safety programmes and initiatives that lead to the elimination of hazards and risks in the workplace, which in turn has contributed to the overall reduction in injury at Paramedic Services.
Toronto Paramedic Services – Awards To External Groups
Paramedic Services Citizens Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded to an individual, or group of citizens, who has rendered an outstanding level of assistance during an emergency situation. Assistance rendered can be through the provision of emergency First Aid to another person, or, through assistance rendered to Toronto Paramedic Services members during an emergency incident.
Paramedic Services Allied Service Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded to an individual member, or a group, of Emergency Services personnel from public law enforcement agencies, Fire Services and/or the Canadian Armed Forces who has rendered an outstanding level of assistance during an emergency situation. Assistance rendered can be through the provision of emergency First Aid to another person, or, through assistance rendered to Toronto Paramedic Services members during an emergency incident.
Paramedic Services Media Award
Number of Recipients: Unlimited
Awarded to an individual member of, or a media organization, who provides outstanding coverage of Toronto Paramedic Services, promoting community focused
Service Awards and Long Service Medals are presented annually. For Service Awards, the presentation is held during Public Service Week, normally the third week of September. Long Service Medals are presented twice annually, during Toronto Public Service Week and during the Canadian Paramedic Services Week, normally the fourth week of May. As such, to ensure inclusion in the specific upcoming ceremony the following submission deadline dates are in effect:
Service Awards:
- May 24, 2024: Support Staff of the Year, John Dean Chiefs’ Award, Paramedic Services Deputy Chiefs’ Health & Safety Award, and Pioneer of the Year (selected by the Pioneer Association)
- June 1, 2024: Paramedic of the Year, William J. Allen Valour Award, Paramedic Services’ Merit Award
Long Service Medal – Annual submission deadlines
- Canadian Paramedic Services Week: 25 April annually
- Toronto Public Service Week: 30 August annually