New Paramedics Welcomed in Ceremony

Essex-Windsor EMS officially welcomed 22 new paramedics at a commencement ceremony today held in council chambers at the County of Essex Administration Building.

The paramedics were presented with their service coins and epaulettes as family members, other guests and paramedics who guided them through their orientation watched.

“Here at Essex-Windsor EMS we are rewriting what leadership in paramedicine looks like: not top down, but heart out,” Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers told them. “Our mission remains the same: to serve the people of this region with accountability, integrity and compassion.”

Meeting the service’s high standards for recruitment is an accomplishment to be celebrated, said Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald “I’m proud to say the public and our partners have immense gratitude and respect for Essex-Windsor EMS. And we at the County of Essex, are grateful and happy to be welcoming you to this first-class service.”

The new recruits were also welcomed by James Jovanovic, president of CUPE Local 2974, which represents Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics.

“You are stepping into a role that asks a lot but gives even more: purpose, pride and a chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves,” he said.

The commencement ceremony was held after the paramedics successfully went through extensive screening and a lengthy orientation for which they received certificates of completion. Six joined the service at the end of 2024 and 16 joined this spring.

The new paramedics are Kale Ambrose, Taylor Blakney, Randall Brant, Sarah Paulnitz-Soles, Lilyan Silva, Danielle Thomsen, Eric Glos, Kane Murphy, Mercedees Filiault, Kyle Harnden, MacKenzie Plumb, Sarah Reid, Nico Soliva, Aleks Bonhomme, Chase Finn, Sarahmae Legault, Abby Caldwell, Gurpreet Kaur, Simon Edmondson, William Hua, Landen Demers and Shane Weber.