Your Guard
Introducing Your Honour Guard
Diane Findlay - Commander
They say a lot of people have a second major career change in there life time and this is mine. Something many don’t know about me I started in the plumbing industry years ago, won’t tell you how many, a girl never tells her age. I have always been fascinated with emergency medical services but was one of those people that didn’t think I could ever do that. Until one day my grandson had a really bad allergic reaction, not only once but twice, I had no idea what to do, so I took some first aid classes.
One day at work, one of my customers came into the shop wearing a paramedic jacket, I had no idea he was a medic .. and well an hour and a half later I let Thor Stevens from Gimli leave the shop, and today I am a Paramedic because of him. So thank you Thor !!!
I started my training at RRC as an EMR, and while in school I rode as a “third” in Gimli which was mandatory at that time, after I received my certificate from the college I started as a casual employee the very next day in Gimli. While working in Gimli I took my EMT training in 2000 in the Interlake, the day after I received my certificate as an EMT I started in Selkirk. It was shortly after that I left the plumbing industry and became a full time Paramedic in the Interlake.
I sit on the board of directors for the Paramedic Association of Manitoba and I am in my seventh year now as a director, my portfolio as some of you that know me as been in Public relations. I currently chair PAM’s annual Golf Tournament, I sit on a committee for Manitoba Brain Injury, hold a team seat on the EMS Interlake accreditation committee, and I am the Commander for the Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard.
During my EMS career I have been involved in numerous events and fund raisers, I was the lead for first aid volunteers and paramedics for the Western Canada Games, Cancer Relay for Life, Easter Seals relay at the forks, Operation Christmas Child, Mock car crashes for Mb Brain Injury and the Buddy Walk for Manitoba Down Syndrome just to mention a few.
Married to Norm Findlay in 1999 and I have three children Doloreen, Bill and Rick and yes I have two awesome grandchildren Brandon and Jordan.
Kevin Martin - Deputy Commander
Greetings and thank you for visiting the Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard website and taking an interest in the Guard, who we are and what we do. I hope this site answers some questions you may have regarding our mission. I would hope that you look around the site and then provide feedback to us.
I began my journey to a career in EMS as a teenager, when I became heavily involved in St John Ambulance in northern Manitoba. Competitions at the provincial and national level helped drive me to excel as well as spark an interest in the Prehospital profession as a member of the brigade.
Shortly after graduating from high school, I took my first EMR course and began working on a “paid-call” basis for Seine River Ambulance, located outside of Winnipeg. Despite enjoying the time on car, I quickly realized that it’s hard to make a living on a volunteer’s salary.
For the next ten years or so, I worked in the transportation industry, always wondering where I would be if I had stayed in the industry I truly enjoyed.
In the fall of 2001, I had wondered long enough. I signed up for a Primary Care Paramedic course at a local private college in Winnipeg, and as they say, the rest is history.
I was able to gain full time employment in Dauphin MB, where my family and I relocated for 4 ½ years. In January 2007, I was successful in recruitment for the City of Winnipeg EMS, a position which I hold today.
Currently, I am enrolled in the 2 year ACP program offered by the City of Winnipeg to its employees and look forward to its completion.
I am active in promoting the role of EMS in our communities province-wide and calling for improvements to our industry through improved deployment models and funding, self regulation of providers and public education.
In my spare time, I am active in getting my kids to their activities including swimming, lacrosse, cultural dance and music lessons. I volunteer as treasurer for my daughter’s local pipe and drum band as well as serve as deputy commander of the Honour Guard. I am an avid NHL fan and proudly wear my Colorado Av’s jersey any chance I get.
I currently reside in Winnipeg with my wife Cathy and our children Delaney and Connor.
Mike Spence - Guard
My EMS career began in the fall of 1982, September of that year to be exact in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. At the time all that was needed to join the ambulance was First Aid and CPR and I had both of those qualifications. The pay was phenomenal as a volunteer Ambulance attendant. I believe something like $0.50 to be on call and $5.00 a call.
After a few calls, I quickly realized that these qualifications were not enough and sought out and completed the First Responder course through Manitoba Health. This was fine for a year or so and then I became a First Responder Instructor. Shortly after this I became a part of the Manitoba Health Exam Team traveling around the province examining other Ambulance Services this was very rewarding as I met many interesting people. Manitoba Health then opened up the Emergency Medical Attendant course for rural attendants and I signed up and passed that, wearing my nice new EMA crest on call I was asked many times (sometimes in jest and sometimes seriously) if my name was in fact Ema.
As a part of the Exam Team I could then examine EMA candidates as well as FR’s. As time passed training became more readily available and I advanced myself as much as possible, reaching the Paramedic II level.
My whole career was spent with Ste. Anne Ambulance, later South Eastman RHA except for a short stint with Portage Ambulance Service and some volunteer shifts with Gimli Ambulance. I ended my career 22 years later and I now work for the Main Street Project in Winnipeg and am also a senior member of the newly formed Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard.
Lisa Trochim - Guard
Bryan Leach - Guard
I have been a member of the Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard (MPHG) since September 2009. Initially, I expressed interest in the startup of the MPHG. Due to family commitments, I couldn’t dedicate the time required. I remained active promoting the MPHG through fundraising and volunteering at events. My primary interest in joining the MPHG was to represent those who’ve fallen in the line-of-duty. Additionally, I felt it was important to promote of our young profession at various activities within the community.
My entry into paramedicine originated in Alberta as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) with Canadian Pacific Hotels at Chateau Lake Louise as a security officer. As security officers, we were first on scene until Banff or Canmore Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was able to respond. Prior to this, I volunteered at events promoting the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) which provides air-ambulance service to the citizens of Alberta. I later took a brief paid-position with the STARS’ Calgary Base working within the STARS’ store.
After moving back to Manitoba, I was offered a volunteer position with Lac du Bonnet (LdB) Ambulance. LdB Ambulance sponsored my tuition for a full-time EMT-B course operated by Manitoba Health.
During the EMT-B course, I enlisted with the Canadian Forces as a primary reservist and served in 17 Med Coy as a Medical Technician (Med A).
Upon graduation from the EMT-B course, I continued volunteering with LdB Ambulance and remained employed by the Canadian Forces until I was offered employment by Selkirk EMS as a casual. In June 2000, I found full-time employment with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS), where I remain today.
Recently, I started participating as a member of the WFPS Paramedics Active in Community Education and Response (PACER), which provides bicycle EMS-response at major events and community activities. I was also one of the first Winnipeg paramedics to participate in the Primary Treatment and Referral Service (PTRS) training.
I’m now nearing graduation in the two-year WFPS Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) training program.
As of May 2011, I’ll be taking-on a part-time relief-position as a paramedic at the Main Street Project (MSP) in downtown Winnipeg, providing assessment and referral services to those less fortunate.
When time and resources permit, I occasionally pick-up shifts for the Central Region Health Authority (RHA) at the Oak Bluff station.
In terms of serving my profession, I have been active within the labour-relations front with the former Professional Paramedic Association of Winnipeg (PPAW), and with the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) as a vice-president, secretary, Health and Safety representative and shop steward.
I intend on continuing my education in the future, with the hopes of someday providing care as a Tactical EMS (TEMS) paramedic.
I have a very strong interest in rotary-wing EMS and with the recent announcement from the provincial government of adopting such aero-medical program, I can only hope for casual employment in this sector upon graduation from the ACP course.
I am married and have two beautiful and very energetic daughters, whom are the passion of my life.
Michael Gingrich - Guard
I started my EMS career with Gimli Ambulance in1995 when they offered an EMR class. On completion of the EMR course I started working as a volunteer for the Gimli Ambulance Service. In 1997 I was enrolled into the EMT course that was offered in the area. In 1998 I upgraded and worked as a Level II on the ambulance. During that time I had my own business which allowed me to be on call during the day shift on the second truck.
While working as a volunteer the Interlake RHA took over the Ambulance and I became a casual employee of the IRHA working in the Gimli Station. In 1999 I was hired on full time with the Gimli Ambulance.
In April of 2000 I moved to Churchill MB and worked full time for the Churchill RHA. In July of 2001 I was offered the job as Supervisor of Emergency, Disaster Services and Communications for RHA Churchill. During my time in Churchill I gained a lot of experience in Management and did lot of training for the region as well as still working on the trucks as well. The Region allowed me to work as a Flight medic and also keep my job with the Region. This was an unbelievable experience and one I would not have gotten anywhere else.
In October of 2004 I move to Altona to work back on truck full time as a Level II and as 1 of the charge medics for Central RHA in Station 14. In June of 2009 I upgrade with the region and now work as an ICP here in Altona.
In 2008 I became a proud member of the Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard. In the last 16 years I have gotten a lot of experience in EMS working as a volunteer, casual and full time paramedic on truck and also being in charge of EMS for the Churchill RHA. During this time I have been able to take a lot of EMS courses and teach EMR and EMT students and also work as a training officer. I feel this gives me a wide view of the EMS system and the ability to represent all Paramedic in Manitoba as an Honour Guard member.
I have 2 wonderful children who I love and respect dearly. I hope to one day go back to school and gain my ACP and continue to work in this wonderful job called EMS.
Wade Fisher - Guard
Jennifer Kostyshyn - Guard
Ken Oneschuk - Guard
Stewart McPherson - Piper
Patrick McInnis - Recruit
Tyson Campbell - Recruit
Caleb Williamson - Recruit