Paramedic Services Week is a time to show our gratitude and appreciation to the paramedics who work every day to keep us and our communities safe. According to the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada, the theme of Paramedic Services Week is “Faces of Paramedicine”.
This year, it will be celebrated in Canada from May 23 to 29.
In celebration of Paramedic Services Week, we featured local "Faces of Paramedicine".
Name: Richy Roy
How long have you served as an EMS?
This is my 18th year being a paramedic with the Weyburn EMS.
What do you view as the most important day-to-day responsibilities?
First and foremost, it is responding to emergency medical service calls. That could include anything from illness, cardiac arrests, to accidents. We are on the highway a lot doing inter-facility transfers, and quite often we are going from Weyburn to Regina two or three times a day.
What is your favourite kind of community interaction?
My favourite interaction would be showing up on scene with members of the community and helping them out. A lot of people know who I am, and in turn I also know many members of the community. It is important to have a familiar face that shows up at a scene, to give them a reassurance that everything will be okay. That really warms my heart.
Why did you choose a career as an EMS?
I do a lot of things in life, but I love being a paramedic because it gives me the responsibility to take care of someone else's life. This is the highest honour that someone could have in life. It is important to give back to the community, and it gives me the sense of fullness and support. It makes me a better person.
What health tip do you have to share with our readers?
Your health is sort of like a bank account. If you invest in your health by eating good food and exercising, you will live a long and healthy life, many years down the road.
