But how times have changed, in so many ways, for today’s paramedics who cross the county providing emergency services.

Even nicer is recognition for length of service and commitment to their work.

And that’s exactly what has happened for seven Renfrew County paramedics, including Renfrew-based Brad Smith.

“It was really nice to get something like that … not just for years of service but for the things we’ve done through work,” said Smith. “It was a gala event. It was really something.”

His reference is to the presentation of the Exemplary Service Medal in London, Ont., in late September as part of the annual Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Ontario and the Ontario Base Hospital Group conference. 

Then, last Wednesday, they were recognized during a ceremony in Renfrew County council chambers, where Warden Janice Visneskie paid tribute to all seven men as they stood in uniform.

Established in 1994, the Exemplary Service Medal is awarded to men and women who are engaged in pre-hospital emergency medical services. These same people, noted Visneskie, have contributed both length of service and commitment to the advancement of the industry.

The county’s paramedic service, said Visneskie in reading a prepared statement, “is very proud of this year’s award winners. All of our paramedics do amazing work, and this group of committed, experienced professionals certainly deserve our respect and admiration. I am pleased to see them receive this recognition.”

“Overall, it’s a reflection of our maturation as a service, to take the time with the Governor-General’s office to secure these medals,” said Renfrew County emergency services director Mike Nolan.

Two months ago, the seven Renfrew County paramedics were among 125 paramedics to receive the award from Major General Richard Rohmer, Canada’s most decorated soldier. In Ontario there are about 6,000 practising paramedics.

Renfrew paramedic Brad Smith, 54, was among two of the seven medal recipients with extensive links to the Town of Renfrew.

The Renfrew resident will have 35 years of service by December, but when he started working in Renfrew with the Ministry of Health as an ambulance officer in 1973 he still thought he’d go on to have a long career as a butcher.

His family’s meat shop was hugely popular. However, he remained in emergency services.

Looking back over his first 35 years as a paramedic, Smith says there have been many highlights and challenges. But one of the biggest was the winter night he and fellow paramedic John McPeak, also an Exemplary Service Medal recipient, helped rescue a woman from the middle of Calabogie Lake.

After falling off a snowmobile, she had been run over by another, before the two paramedics battled through knee-deep slush to the shore with this woman on a stretcher, as other residents also helped.

Years later, McPeak says the job has a lot more respect than ever, including the fact the public no longer refers to paramedics as drivers.

McPeak now works out of Eganville, but he worked in Renfrew from 1973 until 2001.

The county’s other Exemplary Service Medal recipients are:

Wendell Croken, who began working in the paramedic field in 1968. He has worked out of the Arnprior base the last 24 years as paramedic, supervisor or district manager.

• Terry Recoskie, with 27 years of service, began at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay in 1981.

• Gordon Panagapko, 30 years of service, has worked 21 years out of the Eganville base.

• Richard Slater, who began his career in Arnprior, has 30 years of service.

• Richard Luesink, who has worked out of Pembroke, Deep River and Petawawa, has spent all but six months of his 25 years as a paramedic in Renfrew County.

Each of the seven, pointed out Warden Visneskie, has supported emergency services’ professional development and continued their involvement in community events.