Area paramedics honoured at Queen’s Park

From the office of MPP Toby Barrett

To The Haldimand Press

HALDIMAND—A pair of local paramedics received the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery October 22, 2019 at Queen’s Park.

Marie Sopko and Ched Zivic, both of Haldimand County Paramedic Services, received the award in connection to an incident in January 2018. At that time, the pair responded to reports of a house fire caused by a possible explosion. When they arrived on scene, the victim had severe burns to their face and upper body. The homeowner initially refused treatment as he tried to put the fire out in his home. Sopko attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher, while paramedic Zivic successfully convinced the man to leave and receive treatment.