TORONTO - Canadian paramedics have sent a cheque to their colleagues in the Gulf States who were impacted by hurricane Katrina. The EMS Chiefs of Canada, the Paramedic Association of Canada, the Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Ontario (AMEMSO) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have sent $25,000 to the Acadian Community Disaster Relief Fund. The money will be distributed locally to those emergency medical services workers who lost their homes as a result of hurricane Katrina.
Speaking on behalf of the contributing organizations, Toronto EMS Chief Bruce Farr said, “Whether they are working or not, Canadian paramedics know they have a home to return to on New Year’s Day. Many paramedics in Louisiana and the other Gulf States lost everything when Katrina hit, and yet they continued to provide care to their fellow citizens. This is our small contribution to their recovery and one way we can say thanks. We recognize your sacrifice.”
Contributions to this relief effort can still be made to the Medics Care Fund at any CIBC branch. Transit number 07722, Account number 23-71138, or send a cheque or money order by mail to Medics Care, c/o Toronto EMS, 4330 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON, M3H 5R9.