Paramedics routinely help save lives, but two members of the Chatham-Kent EMS have been recognized for helping bringing new life into the world twice in early 2023.
Paramedics routinely help save lives, but two members of the Chatham-Kent EMS have been recognized for helping bringing new life into the world twice in early 2023.
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Paramedics Stephane Hebert, 43, and Ron Thomson, 41, who worked out of the Wallaceburg EMS base, answered calls in January and March of 2023 where they delivered a baby.
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They were among local EMS members honored at an awards ceremony at the Civic Center Thursday.
Hebert has delivered four babies during his 14 years as a paramedic, including two babies with another EMS partner.
“I think it’s hit or miss,” he said, noting some paramedics have delivered many babies, others none.
These are the first two babies Thomson has delivered in his 13 years on the job.
“You just got to stay calm,” he said. “The calm you are, the clearer you think.”
It’s important to “take that extra second and then take a step back and think,” Hebert agreed.
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The two births happened in the back of the ambulance, “so you’re much narrowed in on the situation at that point,” he added.
The EMS partners definitely needed skill and a level head for one of the deliveries, which earned them a Medical Director’s Commendation for going above and beyond.
“This crew had a very difficult delivery” where the mother and baby were both in “very, very critical condition,” said Chatham-Kent EMS general manager Jeff Brooks.
A second ambulance was about 15 minutes away, so they had to manage the mom and baby until it arrived, he said.
“So they split up and they each took care of one and they kept them both alive,” Brooks said. “They did an amazing job.”
Mom and baby both owe their lives to Thomson and Hebert, he added.
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Thomson credits the in-house training, organized by local midwives, that took them to the level of a midwife.
“As long as they’re crying, it’s a good day,” Hebert said of delivering a baby.
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Hebert and Thomson also received the Paul Patterson Excellence Award for paramedics who go above and beyond their normal duties to help a patient, who exemplify going the extra mile, putting the patient first and making a positive impact on the people they serve.
The award honors Paul Patterson, who died at age 30 while responding to a car crash near Blenheim on Feb. 25, 2007, when the medical SUV he was driving hit ice and went off the road.
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“Just knowing Paul’s legacy, it’s an honor to win an award in his name and hopefully to carry on his legacy,” Thomson said.
“I’m beyond honored,” Hebert said.
Thomson said what he enjoys about being a paramedic is “just helping people, using your head and thinking on the spot,” he said. “It’s a new job every day.”
There’s always something different or unexpected with the job, Hebert said. “You think you’ve seen everything and something new comes along.”
Hubert added he also enjoys meeting people.
Thomson said he and Hebert have developed good partnership in the four years they’ve worked together.
“We’re hoping we can stay together throughout our career,” he said. “We just like working together, doing calls and helping people.”
Other Chatham-Kent EMS members honored Thursday included Paul Tremblay as paramedic of the year, Alexis Bruhlman as rookie of the year and Whitney Dantzer as mentor of the year.
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