Nearly 1,300 paramedics who serve communities across Nova Scotia are being celebrated, Monday.
The province says Medic Monday, first recognized in 2013, is an opportunity to give thanks and reflect on the critical and life-saving role paramedics play in emergency care.
This year, tribute is paid to paramedic John Rossiter, who lost his life while serving others during Hurricane Juan, on September 29, 2003 – 22 years ago.
“Mr. Rossiter was a dedicated and respected member of the paramedic community who cared deeply for helping those in need,” says the province.
To improve how emergency health services are delivered and to support paramedics, the province has:
– provided free tuition to paramedics who agree to work in Nova Scotia for at least four years following graduation
– supported efforts to streamline the licensing process to make it easier and faster for internationally trained paramedics to work in Nova Scotia
– recruited 29 internationally trained paramedics
– created new opportunities for paramedics by launching community paramedicine programs with Eskasoni First Nation and in Antigonish
– opened a new paramedic and provincial logistics station in Dartmouth that will serve as a central supply hub for the emergency health services system and support the emergency preparedness special operation paramedics who respond to wildfires and other serious or complex events
– invested in more interfacility patient transfer resources to keep paramedics ready to respond to calls in their community
– opened a new back-up dispatch centre
– invested in a new and modern computer dispatch system to improve operational efficiency.
The emergency health system includes a variety of roles including primary care, intermediate care, advanced care and critical care paramedics, who work in a variety of roles and settings.
EHS received more than 204,000 calls in 2024-25, which is an average of 560 calls per day.
