INSPIRE - Meet York Region Paramedic Services Superintendent Tamara Steel - Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
Public safety - It plays a critical part in ensuring residents of any community have the opportunity to live well and reach their personal full potential. Public safety is about protecting the general public and prioritizing an individual's physical safety. First Responders - including firefighters, police officers and paramedics - are most often providing the hands-on support that makes any community physically safe.
The individuals who protect and serve their communities are professionals dedicated to being their best with each situation they face. In honour of International Women's Day and together with the Ontario Provincial Police, Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services, Central York Fire Services, and York Region Paramedic Services, we are excited to again present four female emergency first responders who represent their professions with honour and distinction. We invite you to read each of their stories and learn more about how their aspirations, motivations, celebrations and strong ethic of caring for themselves and others have shaped their respective careers.
More IWD 2025 INSPIRE First Responder Stories:
INSPIRE - Meet CYFS Firefighter Miranda Hebert - Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
Introducing Tamara Steel - York Region Paramedic Services Superintendent
Q: How long have you been a first responder?
A: I started with York Region Paramedic Services in May 2010, almost 15 years now.
Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a first responder?
A: I grew up with a deep admiration for first responders. As a child, I experienced severe asthma and paramedics were often there to provide the care and relief needed during some of my most challenging moments. For me, paramedics were my heroes. Their presence brought comfort and reassurance and I grew to associate their arrival with feeling better. These experiences inspired me to dedicate myself to a paramedic career where I could provide that same level of care and support and ensure my patients felt reassured and cared for when I arrive to help.
Q: Where did you go to school to learn to be a first responder?
A: Initally, I attended Durham College where I completed the Primary Care Paramedic program. I later returned to college to pursue the Advanced Care program. Since then, I’ve been working to complete my Allied Health degree. I believe education should never have an endpoint. For me, learning is a lifelong journey that constantly pushes me to grow, evolve, and provide the best possible care to those who rely on me.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career?
A: The highlight of my career has been nothing short of transformative. First, becoming an Advanced Care Paramedic was a defining moment for me. It gave me the opportunity to treat and serve the most complex health needs of our community and make a real difference in people's lives when they needed it most.
Second, stepping into the role of Superintendent for Paramedic Services has been an absolute privilege. It allows me to support and empower our incredible paramedics, be a strong female leader in a critical field, and witness the magic of paramedic work every single day. For me, it’s more than just a job. It’s a mission to make a meaningful impact on those who rely on our care.
Q: What do you do to keep physically fit and take care of your mental wellbeing?
A: To stay physically fit and take care of my mental health, I swim, dance like no one's watching (even though my kids and niece are), and chase after my kids and niece—because let's face it, they keep me on my toes! It’s a perfect mix of staying active, having fun, and getting in some much-needed laughs while staying sane.
Q: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder?
A: Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, supporting my children in their diverse interests, watching football, and hosting endless pool parties. I also prioritize quality time with family and friends as these activities bring balance, joy, and meaningful connections to my life.
Enjoy more first responder stories:
INSPIRE - 3rd Annual IWD First Responder Community Event - 2024
INSPIRE - 2nd Annual IWD First Responder Community Event 2023
York Region Community Open House - Celebrating First Responders and IWD 2022
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