2 Ottawa paramedics rewarded with Ontario medal for bravery

Ottawa Paramedic Service Advanced Care Paramedic François Jacques (left) and Primary Care Paramedic Stephen Welsh (right) were honoured with the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery on May 25, 2026. (Photos: Ontario Government)

Two Ottawa paramedics have been honoured by the provincial government for an act of bravery last fall.

Health Minister and Deputy Premier Syliva Jones and Lt. Gov. Edith Dumont presented the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery to Advanced Care Paramedic François Jacques and Primary Care Paramedic Stephen Welsh on Monday.

On Oct. 18, 2025, Jacques and Welsh responded to a call involving two people who were being attacked by an aggressive dog. The dog continued to pose a threat when they had arrived and there was no animal control equipment at hand.

Welsh used a mirror as a shield to corral the dog and restrain it while Jacques was able to get the injured people out of their apartment.

It later took six officers to safely remove the dog from the apartment.

“The survival of the victims can be attributed to Paramedic Welsh and Paramedic Jacques’ bravery and decisiveness,” the government said.

The Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery is given to paramedics who have demonstrated great bravery without concern for their personal safety, risking their lives to save others.

“The courage displayed by this year’s recipients represents the very best of Ontario and I am honoured to present this year’s recipients with the Ontario Medal for Paramedic Bravery,” said Jones.

Ontario recognized five paramedics in the province on Monday for acts of bravery, including rescuing a drowning man from deep water in Haldimand County while off duty, preventing a potentially armed individual from fleeing a scene in Hamilton until police arrived, and rescuing a resident from a burning building in Toronto.

“These acts of courage speak not only to their character, but to the difference they make in communities across Ontario. I am proud to recognize their service today,” Dumont said.

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