In a moving tribute to local health-care workers, first responders paraded past Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on Friday to salute staff and volunteers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joining the convoy were representatives from Orillia OPP, the Orillia Fire Department, Rama Police Service, Rama Paramedic Service, Rama Fire Department, Ramara Fire Department, Simcoe County Paramedic Services and Orillia Power Corporation.
Hospital staff and volunteers stepped outside to wave and take photos and videos as the emergency vehicles drove by with their sirens ringing out and their horns honking.
“It’s overwhelming,” said hospital president and CEO Carmine Stumpo. “It reminds me how much of a privilege it is to serve this community in a time of crisis. It’s motivation for the work that we need to do.”
Cheryl Harrison, executive vice-president of patient care and people, agreed.
“The spirit in our organization is amazing, and for them to see this type of support gives them the motivation to keep doing what they’re doing,” she said.
Stumpo referred to the hospital’s relationship with first responders as “one of mutual respect.” That’s how Orillia OPP Const. Martin Hill sees it, too.
“Hospital workers are really the biggest players in this, and it’s truly a community effort,” he said. “We want to show that we’re a family. It’s all of us.”
Hill stood among the hospital staff as the vehicles drove by and he remarked that it was “very sweet to see everyone coming outside and cheering.”
Orillia Fire Chief Brent Thomas said it was an honour to take part in Friday's salute.
“As part of the pre-hospital care community, first responders are thankful for all that hospitals do. We appreciate the risk they’re taking for us,” he said. “If we can give back in some way, we’re glad to.”
As the first responders were forming up near city hall, Thomas looked at the large number of vehicles and said it was “spectacular to see.”
“When we were talking about doing this, there was not a question of, ‘Should we?’ It was, ‘When should we be there?’” he said.
