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A record-breaking year of strength, spirit, and storytelling!
From May 18 to 24, we celebrated Paramedic Services Week, an annual tradition for Demers and Crestline. For the occasion, both companies joined forces to honour paramedics across the country. This year, our photo contest came back stronger than ever with a special addition: a Historical category, created to mark Demers’ 65th anniversary and Crestline’s 50th.
And what a year it was! We received over 130 remarkable photo submissions, breaking last year’s record and raising the bar again. Each entry showcased paramedics’ pride, dedication, and resilience when in action, across our four contest categories: Team, Vehicle, Action Scene, and our new Historical category.
We extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated. Your photos celebrate the exceptional individuals and teams behind the uniform, help us better understand your day-to-day reality, and raise awareness of paramedics’ essential role in communities.
With so many moving images, each telling a unique story, choosing winners was no easy task. The creativity and emotion in every submission were sincerely inspiring.
Thank you once again for your generosity and enthusiasm.
Without further delay, we’re thrilled to share this year’s winning entries!
Team Category Winner: Balcarres Paramedic Services
This photo, submitted by a group from Saskatchewan, perfectly illustrates their team spirit. During a break required by the supervisor during BLS training, the team, still in uniform and clearly in good spirits, went outside to refocus; the paramedics were joking, laughing, struggling to keep a straight face and give the full attention demanded by the instructor. One of them, who is also a photographer, seized the opportunity to take this spontaneous snapshot, revealing the genuine energy and camaraderie of the group.
“Team spirit is the strength and foundation required to motivate a competent and compassionate group of people who are focused on delivering the highest quality of patient care possible, regardless of acuity, regardless of price. Team spirit enhances and encourages each team member to grow, learn, and share. Every team has it, and any team member can amplify it.” -Michael Schiffer, Advanced Care Paramedic.
Bonus points for the Canadian flag!
Action scene category winner: AHS Drumheller
This evocative photo, taken outside Drumheller, Alberta, stood out for its layered storytelling and emotional impact. Taken just after a call in a snow-covered field, it invites viewers into the world of rural EMS, where terrain, weather, and long distances add challenges to every shift. “In this photo, we were making our way back to the ambulance. I feel the photo represents how every call can be different,” shared the paramedic behind the lens, Sheldon Zeeman. “Providing care in rural and remote locations requires us to be proficient in our skills and knowledge as we often treat patients for extended periods of time, but offers us the opportunity to deliver excellent prehospital care, regardless of their location in the province. Our team finds the work very rewarding, and I’m thankful to work alongside exceptional paramedics.”
From the paramedic’s view, this moment speaks to the adaptability and commitment required in the field. From the patient’s perspective, the ambulance becomes a beacon, reliable and reassuring, even in the most remote corners of the province. As an ambulance manufacturer, this photo is a powerful reminder of the role our vehicles play in life saving missions, and we are proud to support the work of those on the front lines.
Vehicle category winner: Cornwall SDG
This winning shot caught our attention for its clean composition and the professionalism that defines the service behind it. Submitted by Cornwall Paramedic Services in Ontario, the image highlights a well-maintained fleet that supports paramedics’ important mission: saving lives.
These aren’t just vehicles, these ambulances are dependable mobile workstations. Their polished condition speaks to a service that values its tools and knows the importance of keeping every unit ready for the road, and for the people depending on them. This photo illustrates the spirit of a team that takes pride in every detail, knowing their fleet plays an essential role in emergency care.
Cornwall’s team includes 175 paramedics, 8 commanders, 2 deputy chiefs, and one chief, making it one of the largest and busiest EMS services in the province. They serve a community of more than 111,000 residents.
Historical category winner: Ambulances 22-22
The winner of this year’s Historical Category, Marc-Antoine Rathier, submitted a photo that really made an impact. It captures a key moment during his first year as a paramedic. Taken in 2014, the image features a Mirage Light ambulance, a model launched in 1992 and retired from the market in 2009. This photo was taken during one of its final missions on the road. The photo captures the paramedic’s first major emergency response during the Défi du Parc event in La Mauricie National Park, Quebec, where a serious cycling accident occurred near the finish line of the 105 kilometre race.
“In an instant, the scene changed: tangled bikes, screams, confusion… all in the heart of a beautiful natural park that had suddenly become an emergency zone. I focused on one of the most critical patients, while teams from ski patrol, Sûreté du Québec, and volunteers worked seamlessly around me. Despite the chaos, there was a clear sense of coordination and purpose. That day confirmed why I chose this profession,” he shared, pondering on the teamwork and composure required in the face of urgency.
In this photo, it’s not just an accident scene, paramedics and an ambulance. We also see a moment that defined an early career and marked the final miles of a trusted Type II model that would eventually evolve into today’s TXB.
