By Ryan Pilon

Canadian Forces honours Parkland Ambulance

Mar 21, 2011 | 6:47 AM

Prince Albert’s Parkland Ambulance is being recognized for its support of the Canadian Forces.

The Canadian Forces Liaison Council is presenting an award to Parkland Ambulance in Regina today.

The award is given because the company allowed its employees to take time off to participate in military training and operations as part of the Canadian Forces Reserve personnel.

It’s worth sparing the bodies to support the Canadian Forces, said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Prince Albert Parkland Ambulance.

“It does create a gap,” Karasiuk said.

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“If we as an agency can say thank you to them, and do so by providing the employer support that we do to our employees, it’s one way of contributing to that cause.”

Karasiuk said he is honoured by the award.

“We are very, very pleased and honoured to support the Canadian Forces through the Employer’s Support Program, and very pleased they chose to recognize us this year for our commitment to the forces, and we thank them for that honour,” Karasiuk said.

Three paramedics are part of the reserve personnel, including Ramsay Bellisle, who spent six months in Afghanistan from Oct. 2009 to May 2010.

Bellisle said it was great to serve his country.

“It was me getting in, doing my part, doing my job,” Bellisle said.

“Also, the fact that I’ve been training for 17 years to do this stuff, even as a reservist, to find out that yes, you can do it.”

Bellisle credits Parkland Ambulance for giving him the opportunity to help the Canadian Forces.

“They were totally supportive,” Bellisle said.

“I initially only asked for 18 months, and they had already given me three months off beforehand as well. They moved me down to a part-time shift just to be able to cover off all the extra training.”

The Canadian Forces is recognizing eleven other Saskatchewan businesses.

rpilon@panow.com