Five paramedics — including one locally — were honoured by the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs recently with awards for their actions to preserve public health and safety.
Franco Tignanelli with the District of Nipissing Paramedic Service received the Award of Courage after entering a burning house last March, picking up a resident and carrying her to safety.
In a release, OCAP says, “In March19, Paramedic Franco Tignanelli noticed smoke coming from a house that he was driving past. Without any hesitation, he drove to the residence and tried to determine if anyone was inside. Unfortunately, the house was filled with smoke, and he was unable to see anything. Tignanelli proceeded to the front door and pried the door open with a shovel, only to be faced with smoke and flames. Determined to make sure no one was in the house, Tignanelli and North Bay City Parks workers whom had also come upon the scene began to throw snow into the entrance to the house. They were successful in suppressing the flames enough to see the outline of a person standing on the other side of the house. Tignanelli entered the house (that was still actively on fire) picking up the resident and carrying her to safety.”
Also at the event, two other local paramedics, Stephen Kirk and Kevin Ouellette were among the 115 paramedics presented with the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal.

(photo courtesy Facebook)

Filed under: Franco Tignanelli, Kevin Oullette, paramedics, Stephen Kirk