LCPS Chief Travis Mellema and Commander Janice Steele Receive Governor General's Exemplary Service Medals
October 06, 2026
Lanark County, Ontario – Two members of the Lanark County Paramedic Service
(LCPS) leadership team have received the Governor General’s Emergency Medical
Services Exemplary Service Medal, a national honour recognizing exemplary
service in pre-hospital emergency care.
Chief Travis Mellema and
Janice Steele, Commander, Community Paramedicine, received their medals on
October 1 during the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Fall Symposium and
Annual General Meeting in Niagara Falls.
Part of the Canadian Honours
System, the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal recognizes
professionals whose careers have been characterized by exemplary conduct,
dedication and service. Recipients must have completed at least 20 years of qualifying
service, including at least 10 years performing duties involving potential
risk. The recognition goes beyond length of service, honouring individuals who
have demonstrated a consistently high standard of professionalism and
contributions to their services, communities and the paramedic profession
throughout their careers.
“Janice and Travis have each
made an extraordinary contribution to paramedic care in Lanark County and to
the profession more broadly,” said Brad Harrington, President and CEO of the
Mississippi River Health Alliance. “Their leadership, commitment to their teams
and dedication to continually improving the care we provide are reflected in
this national recognition. On behalf of the entire MRHA, I congratulate them
both on this well-deserved honour.”
Janice Steele
Steele began her paramedic
career with the Ottawa Paramedic Service in 2005, where she spent nearly 14
years providing frontline care while also contributing to clinical education,
research, emergency preparedness and community outreach.
During her time in Ottawa,
she served as a paramedic preceptor, helping to support and mentor the next
generation of paramedics, and contributed to initiatives including the
service’s Research Committee and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear
and Explosives (CBRNE) team. Her involvement in the profession also extended to
public education and awareness initiatives focused on cardiac health, CPR and
the role of paramedics in the community.
Steele joined LCPS as a
Superintendent in February 2019, became Acting Commander in 2020 and was
appointed Commander in 2023. At LCPS, she has played a significant role in the
growth of Community Paramedicine and other initiatives designed to expand the ways
paramedics support patients outside of traditional emergency response.
Her leadership has helped build community partnerships, expand paramedic
capabilities and strengthen access to care across Lanark County. Her service has also been recognized through the
Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery, the Community Paramedic Program Founder’s
Award and the LCPS Chief’s Award.
“Receiving this medal is
deeply meaningful, but it also reflects the work we’ve done together as a team,”
said Janice Steele, Commander, Community Paramedicine, LCPS. “Paramedicine has changed enormously over the course of my career,
and I’ve been fortunate to work with people who have continually looked for
better ways to care for our communities. I’m very grateful to the colleagues,
past and present, who have been part of that journey.”
Travis Mellema
Mellema began his career with LCPS as a frontline paramedic in 2005,
shortly after graduating from Algonquin College’s Paramedic program. He also
served with the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service during the early years of
his career before focusing exclusively on LCPS.
His involvement in the
profession soon expanded beyond frontline response. In 2011, he became an educator
with the Regional Paramedic Program for Eastern Ontario, and in 2013 he became one
of the inaugural members of a peer-support initiative at LCPS focused on the
physical and mental well-being of paramedics.
Mellema moved into LCPS
leadership as a Commander in 2016, became Deputy Chief in 2017 and was
appointed Chief in February 2020. During that progression, he led the expansion
of the Advanced Care Paramedic program, increasing access to advanced pre-hospital
care for patients across Lanark County.
As Chief, he has continued to
advance Community Paramedicine, palliative-care programs, paramedic
mental-health supports, workplace safety and leadership development. Previous
LCPS initiatives under his leadership have included expanding in-home and
community-based care, strengthening psychological supports for paramedics and
increasing access to advanced clinical care. Most recently, Mellema led
LCPS through the rebuilding and reopening of the service’s Almonte Base, which
officially opened on September 25, 2026, following its destruction by fire in
2023. He has also helped lead the development of a 10-year Master Plan to guide
the service moving forward.
His contributions have also extended beyond Lanark County. Mellema
served as Chair of the eastern branch of the Ontario Association of Paramedic
Chiefs at both the deputy chief and chief levels from 2019 to 2024,
contributing to provincial initiatives and advocating for patients and
paramedics across Ontario. He now serves as an Eastern Director on the OAPC
Board and contributes to several provincial and national committees, including
through Paramedic Chiefs of Canada.
“I’m honoured to receive this
recognition, and truly grateful for the people I’ve worked alongside throughout
my career,” said Travis Mellema, Chief, Lanark County Paramedic Service. “The
paramedics and staff at LCPS are what make this service what it is. I’m proud
of what we’ve accomplished together over the past 22 years and excited about
where paramedicine, and LCPS, are headed next for the communities we serve.”
The Emergency Medical
Services Exemplary Service Medal was created in 1994 as part of the Canadian
Honours System. In Ontario, nominations are reviewed through the Ontario
Association of Paramedic Chiefs before being forwarded to the Chancellery of Honours
for final approval.
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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.