Trevor Dutchak (left) and Brian Reichle are among the members of Parkland Ambulance being honoured today. (submitted photos/Parkland Ambulance)

By Rob Mahon

Parkland Ambulance Honoured

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Members of EMS teams from around Saskatchewan are being recognized today for their distinguished service and long careers, and Prince Albert’s Parkland Ambulance will feature prominently in the ceremony.

Four members of Parkland Ambulance will receive exemplary service medals from Russ Mirasty, lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, at 2 p.m. this afternoon. One member of the team is being recognized for 30 years of service.

“It’s certainly nice to be recognized,” Trevor Dutchak, chief of Parkland Ambulance, said. “You certainly don’t do this job to be recognized, but being in it for 30 years I’ve seen a lot of changes for the good and the expectation of what paramedics do is amazing now to what we did when I started 30 years ago.”

According to Dutchak, the biggest change he’s seen in 30 years would be the shift in expectations and, along with it, an increase in call volumes. This, coupled with new equipment, technology, and knowledge, has driven great change in the profession in his career.

“There’s the trust in what paramedics do,” Dutchak said. “With our community paramedic program we have now, the paramedics will go and assess you and try to keep you out of the hospital.”

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Three other members of Parkland Ambulance are receiving awards for 20 years of service as well. Sherri Morrison, Jill Stefanick, and Nicholas Thorimbert are all being honoured.

“It’s fantastic to be able to share it with my team of managers and team at Parkland Ambulance,” Dutchak said. “They are absolutely amazing leaders, and for them to be recognized and for me to get a medal alongside them makes me very proud to be a part of our whole team at Parkland Ambulance.”

Dutchak is one of five from Prince Albert who are receiving recognition of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medals as well. Several of his fellow Parkland Ambulance employees are traveling to Regina with him to receive their awards at the same time.

“I was kind of surprised as well,” Brian Reichle, director of communications, said. “The Queen’s platinum jubilee medal is definitely a service award and I think it’s often to be recognized for time served and the service you’ve provided. It’s something that will be a memory when you’re retired, and you can talk about your career and your past.”

Like Dutchak, Reichle said he found even more meaning in the award as there was a chance to share it with so many of his peers. Travelling together to the ceremony and sharing the entire experience makes it all the more memorable for him.

Also like Dutchak, it’s a multiple-award week for Reichle. He was selected last week for Parkland Ambulance’s Mike Dutchak president’s award.

“Mike is one of the original starters of ambulance services in Saskatchewan along with the Dutchak family,” Reichle said. “I knew Mike, so receiving that award is pretty special. I was quite shocked to receive it, but it’s one of the things that will top the list for my career.”

Reichle added he has plans to retire next year in his 39^th year working with Parkland Ambulance.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP