Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs

10/09/2026

We wish you a safe & happy Thanksgiving weekend, enjoying time with family & friends. Join us in extending gratitude to the first responders & healthcare professionals who are there for us all year long, including the holidays. We see your sacrifice & thank you.

10/08/2026

NEW job listing in Muskoka: Deputy Chief. Application closing date is October 14:

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

🎖️Celebrating 20 Years of Dedicated Service

Congratulations to Shelly Rodgers, Community Paramedic with Muskoka Paramedic Services, on receiving the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal.

This national honour recognizes paramedics who have dedicated 20 years or more to emergency medical services, demonstrating exemplary service, compassion and commitment to the communities they serve.

Shelly was among 150 Ontario paramedics recognized at this year’s Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Awards Gala in Niagara.

Please join us in congratulating Shelly on this well-deserved recognition and thanking her for 20 years of dedicated service and care for the Muskoka community. 🚑💙

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🩷

That’s why Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine, and the Mississauga Ambulance Communications Centre are exploring a new way to deliver life-saving care faster.

The new pilot program will use drones to deliver Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), EpiPens and more directly to emergency scenes in rural and semi-rural areas in Caledon, helping provide critical care faster.

People at the scene will receive support from Ambulance Communications Officers and paramedics through video chat until paramedics arrive.

This innovative program – the first of its kind in Ontario – could transform emergency response in rural and remote communities.

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

In paramedicine, many can point to someone who shaped their path. Through OAPC’s Women in Paramedicine Leadership work, we’re raising awareness and recognizing that impact through our “Because of Her” social media campaign. These are personal messages written by nominators in their own words. Today we are showcasing Melanie Larochelle, nominated by Marc Renaud:

I would like to submit a short synopsis of one of my trusted commanders, Melanie Larochelle.

Melanie started working for us as a primary care paramedic in the late '90s in a smaller community and moved to Timmins in the 2000s. We worked together for a short while and became good friends.

I left the service for a brief time and returned as Deputy Chief of Operations. Shortly after I arrived, I had the opportunity to promote Mel to the position of Commander.

Melanie has always been an advocate for paramedics on the front line and has never been afraid to bring up issues to me regarding potential policy or equipment changes. Mel is able to confidently represent the staff and is not afraid to challenge me in a respectful manner, all the while bringing up her valid points. This is something I have always admired, and I hold her in high regard.

Now, in my position, I have passed on that information to our new deputy chief. If Mel brings up a concern, take it seriously and know that it is coming from a place of trust and good intentions.

That's my Mel story.

09/30/2026

💎 A big shoutout to our Diamond Sponsor, AED4Life!

AED4Life helps organizations across Canada be prepared for cardiac emergencies, offering AEDs, equipment, training resources and support to help communities respond when every second counts.

We’re grateful for their support of the OAPC 2026 Fall Symposium & AGM!

Be sure to stop by their booth, say hello and learn more about AED4Life. 👋

09/29/2026

The OAPC 2026 Fall Symposium & AGM is officially underway in Niagara Falls.

The conference opened this morning with keynote speaker Mike Downie, award-winning documentary filmmaker and co-founder of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.

Drawing on stories of Chanie Wenjack, Gord Downie and Terry Fox, Mike spoke about perseverance, leadership, reconciliation and the power of storytelling.

“We believe in effort. We believe in fairness, and we believe, especially you all, believe in picking up the person beside you when they fall. And we're at our best, our very best, when we do the hard things.

It’s not about perfection. It’s not about power. It’s not about the individual. It’s about showing up every day, even though you know it’s going to be hard. Even if you know that you may not be able to finish it. It’s about showing up every day and inspiring those around you to keep going.

That’s who we are. And that’s definitely who you are.”

A powerful message to open OAPC 2026.