August 16, 2021
The City of Edmonton Transit Peace Officer Section has been awarded the prestigious St. John Ambulance Life-saving Award for their efforts in preventing 371 overdose deaths between 2019 and 2021.
The Award states: “City of Edmonton Transit Peace Officers are to be commended for the selfless actions of officers who have used their Naloxone kits and First Aid and CPR training to save lives in 371 overdose intervention incidents in transit stations or on transit busses and trains in Edmonton, Alberta from November 2019 to March 2021”.
Transit Peace Officer Matthew Yakemchuk has been involved in over 10 of these rescues and was the driving force behind the recognition from St. John Ambulance.
“Our Transit Peace Officers have been fortunate to help save so many lives from being lost during the ongoing opioid crisis in our city,” said Yakemchuk. “Many times they are working in difficult circumstances and always our Peace Officers were selfless, going above and beyond to do their job and save that life.”
“People often associate our Peace Officers with transit-related tickets.” said David Jones, Manager of Community Standards and Neighbourhoods Branch. “But our Peace Officers contribute so much more to the community and this award recognizes their work in helping others in our community. There are no words when it comes to what saving any of those 371 lives means to the people saved, their families and their friends. It is beyond amazing and our Peace Officers clearly rose to the call of duty.”
During a protocol item earlier today, City Council recognized the Transit Peace Officer Section for their outstanding efforts and the recognition from St. John Ambulance.
