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. 

 

York Region Community Open House - Join us in celebrating International Women's Day and the first responders of York Region on Saturday March 5th from 10am to 2pm

 

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, York Regional Police, Central York Fire Services, York Region Paramedic Services, and Neighbur, we are excited to present eight 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 Her First Responder Stories:

Meet YRP Police Officer Mina Rahravan - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet Paramedic Karen McIntyre with YRPS - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Introducing CYFS Firefighter Amber Bowman - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet CYFS Firefighter Amanda Leigh - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Introducing YRP Auxiliary Police Officer Elizabeth Coretti - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

Meet CYFS Firefighter Kristy Paterson - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022

 

 

Introducing Natalie Kedzierski - York Region Paramedic Services Deputy Chief

 

Video courtesy of neighbur.

 

Q: How long have you been a first responder?

A: I started with York Region Paramedic Services in 2005.

 

Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a first responder?

A: Yes, I have always wanted to do something that involved helping people. I've worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard, so was I always interested in the “response side” and helping others. I was lucky to enroll in my high school’s co-op program where I spent a semester with the Toronto Paramedic Services and that allowed me to confirm that I really wanted to become a paramedic before applying to college. When I was little, I had to call 9-1-1 for my father who had fallen and I remember at the time that the paramedics were so kind to me. They allowed me to play with the sirens as a distraction; and what stayed with me was how they wanted to make sure that I wasn't scared or worried about my father.

Q: Where did you go to school to learn to be a first responder?

A: I went to Centennial College for my Paramedic Diploma.  After I began working as a paramedic in York Region, I went back to school at the University of Toronto and completed an undergraduate degree with a specialist in Paramedicine.

 

 

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?

A: I think it’s all about helping people, from the beginning as a frontline paramedic knowing that you made a difference on a critical call, or even on a less acute call where it was providing comfort and reassurance or simply giving someone a blanket to keep them warm on the way to the hospital. It’s about making an impact and helping someone when they need it. Most recently I was proud to have been part of York Region's COVID-19 response - from planning to helping with testing or vaccinations. In particular, I helped to develop our medical supports in partnership with Social Services. The ability to be part of a team supporting our community and our paramedic services is a highlight for sure. I'm also certainly proud of the connections and partnerships I have made or assisted with to help our patients and community. 

 

Q: What do you do to keep physically fit and take care of your mental wellbeing?

A: I like to run and work out at a gym. I also make sure to take time for myself and connect with friends.

 

Q: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder? 

A: Spending time at a cottage by the lake with my family.

 

 

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