Lanark County Paramedic Superintendent Honoured with Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery
May 28, 2025
Montague, Ontario – On May 26, 2025, Paramedic Superintendent Michael
White of Lanark County Paramedic Service was awarded the prestigious Ontario
Medal for Paramedic Bravery. He was one of only seven paramedics from
across the province to receive this honour, which is bestowed upon paramedics
who demonstrate exceptional courage in the line of duty, risking their lives to
save others.
The medal recognizes
Superintendent White’s heroic actions during the early morning hours of January
1, 2025. While on duty at headquarters, he overheard a dispatch call about a
single-vehicle rollover. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck a tree, and
came to rest in the front yard of a home. Realizing he was the closest
responder, he immediately attached himself to the call and rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, Superintendent
White found the vehicle’s front end fully engulfed in flames with an
unconscious driver trapped inside. After assessing the situation and
discovering the front doors were jammed, he forced open the rear door and
pulled the occupant to safety, mere moments before the fire intensified and
tires began to explode. With the help of newly arrived crew members, he began
administering care to the patient as the fire grew more intense.
“Without hesitation,
Superintendent White placed himself in harm’s way to help a member of the
community in their time of need,” said Lanark County Paramedic Service Chief,
Travis Mellema. “I am honoured to be here to support and recognize
Superintendent White, along with the other recipients tonight. This is the
fifth member of the Lanark County Paramedic Service to receive this award in
the past three years, demonstrating the level of dedication and pride our staff
consistently show.”
The Ontario Medal for
Paramedic Bravery is the highest recognition a paramedic can receive in the
province. Fewer than 1% of Ontario’s 11,000 paramedics have ever received this
medal since its inception. Superintendent White joins four other Lanark County
Paramedics that have received this award - an extraordinary achievement for one
of the province’s smaller paramedic services.
For the full list of 2025
recipients, visit: Ontario
Newsroom – 2025 Recipients
-30-
Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About Lanark County Paramedic Service
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides
essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across
Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the
first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide
range of medical and trauma-related calls. With a strong commitment to
innovation, professionalism, and community partnerships, LCPS is dedicated to
enhancing the health and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS)—and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.