In a remarkable display of solidarity within Canada’s emergency services community, approximately 120 paramedics from New Brunswick have stepped forward to volunteer their time and expertise to support their grieving colleagues in Prince Edward Island following a devastating tragedy.
The outpouring of support comes after a horrific collision on Tuesday claimed the lives of two P.E.I. paramedics and a patient when their ambulance struck a transport truck head-on along Route 16 in Melrose, New Brunswick, near the Confederation Bridge. The victims included a 56-year-old male ambulance driver, a 77-year-old female patient, and a 23-year-old woman. The RCMP continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
Chris Hood, director of the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick, announced that volunteers will receive 30-day courtesy licenses allowing them to work on the Island during their off-duty hours. This arrangement will enable P.E.I. paramedics to attend funeral services and memorial celebrations for their fallen colleagues. Hood emphasized that the response demonstrates how closely connected emergency responders are across the Maritime provinces, stating that provincial borders mean nothing when it comes to helping friends and colleagues.
Bernard Plourde, Prince Edward Island’s paramedicine registrar, confirmed that Island EMS will determine how many replacement paramedics are needed once memorial schedules are finalized. The call for volunteers has extended beyond New Brunswick, with paramedic organizations from Newfoundland to Alberta reaching out to offer assistance during this difficult time. The backfill coordination is expected to be confirmed by Monday at the latest.
