A new national award for leadership in paramedicine has been presented to a well-known former paramedic.
Richmond resident Clarke McGuire – an advanced life support (ALS) paramedic in B.C. and Richmond for 40 years – said he was both humbled and exhilarated to receive the Paramedic Association of Canada’s first ever Paramedicine Across Canada Expo (PACE) award.
Among McGuire’s former B.C. Emergency Health Service (BCEHS) colleagues lining up to congratulate McGuire were Gene Benoit and Ron Van Houghton, both of whom are paramedics in Richmond and were instrumental in submitting McGuire’s nomination for the award.
“I’ve known Clarke for more than 22 years and his achievements in paramedicine are voluminous,” said Benoit.
“He embodies everything that this inaugural PACE award of excellence for leadership and community building is all about.”
Among McGuire’s achievements is the leadership of Team BC at the annual Rallye Rejviz International Medical Rescue competitions in Europe, not only helping the team win top honours, but also for promoting B.C. and Canada’s paramedicine profession to international audiences.
McGuire is also known as the leading force in important changes made to the provincial and national building code laws that benefit patients today.
Those amendments in the 1990s mandated that building elevators be installed that would allow paramedics and their stretchers easier access.
He’s also influenced national safety standards and procedures, educating first responders about the dangers of high voltage electricity in the work place.
“I have a passion for this profession, and many friends who helped me along the way,” said McGuire, in an e-mail to BCEHS friends and colleagues.
“To be a paramedic is a noble profession with many risks. I was a lucky one, and I cherish my memories and colleagues.”
McGuire received the award last month in Quebec City during the Paramedic Association of Canada’s Expo 2017 meeting and trade show.
