Calgary Paramedics - CUPE Local 3421

The City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services Department Honour Guard was formed in 1992. This was inspired by the death of Rejean Denis, a Calgary Paramedic who died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while on holidays in 1990.

Rejean was given a full departmental funeral with participation from Calgary EMS, The Calgary Police Service, STARS and the Calgary Fire Department. Unfortunately Calgary EMS had no formal Honour Guard at the time. Thus three members of EMS who had taken part in the funeral arrangements for Rejean subsequently received approval from (then) EMS Director Syd Cartwright to form EMS Honour Guard. The first meeting was held on September 3, 1991 with three members in attendance: Terry Clarke, Dell Harrison and Tony Kendall.

Many hours went into planning with considerable help from Staff Sergeant Bob Wiltshire of the Calgary Police Service Honour Guard, Shannon Pennington of the Calgary Fire Department and our own management team.

On February 7, 1994 The City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services Department Honour Guard officially presented the flag and colours to City Council in Council Chambers. The acting Director at that time Tom Sampson, EMT-P, proudly accepted the flag from Paramedic Jennifer Giesbrecht. The flag was then presented to the Mayor of Calgary, Al Duerr by Tom Sampson. The flag now resides permanently in Council Chambers with the flags of other city services.

The Flag has the City Crest on the top left. There is an orange band with blue edges running from the bottom left to the top right and a Star of Life in the centre. Twelve Red Maple Leafs - eight over the Star of Life and four under - represent ‘1984’, the year The City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services Department was formed.

EMS Honour Guard Charter Members 1992:
Anthony Kendall, EMT-A
Terrace Clarke, EMT-P
Dell Harrison, EMT-P
William Bubis, EMT-P
Christopher Long, EMT-A
Jennifer Giesbrecht, EMT-P
Michael Cochrane, EMT-A
Michael Stumpf, EMT-P