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On May 26, 2025, Paramedic Superintendent Michael White of Lanark County Paramedic Service was awarded the prestigious Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery. He was one of only seven paramedics from across the province to receive this honour, which is bestowed upon paramedics who demonstrate exceptional courage in the line of duty, risking their lives to save others.
The medal recognizes Superintendent White’s heroic actions during the early morning hours of January 1, 2025. While on duty at headquarters, he overheard a dispatch call about a single-vehicle rollover. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck a tree, and came to rest in the front yard of a home. Realizing he was the closest responder, he immediately attached himself to the call and rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, Superintendent White found the vehicle’s front end fully engulfed in flames with an unconscious driver trapped inside. After assessing the situation and discovering the front doors were jammed, he forced open the rear door and pulled the occupant to safety, mere moments before the fire intensified and tires began to explode. With the help of newly arrived crew members, he began administering care to the patient as the fire grew more intense.
“Without hesitation, Superintendent White placed himself in harm’s way to help a member of the community in their time of need,” said Lanark County Paramedic Service Chief, Travis Mellema. “I am honoured to be here to support and recognize Superintendent White, along with the other recipients tonight. This is the fifth member of the Lanark County Paramedic Service to receive this award in the past three years, demonstrating the level of dedication and pride our staff consistently show.”
The Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery is the highest recognition a paramedic can receive in the province. Fewer than 1% of Ontario’s 11,000 paramedics have ever received this medal since its inception. Superintendent White joins four other Lanark County Paramedics that have received this award – an extraordinary achievement for one of the province’s smaller paramedic services.
For the full list of 2025 recipients, visit: Ontario Newsroom – 2025 Recipients
