GORE BAY—His work and training in emergency medical services as a paramedic, as well as in the trucking industry helped veteran Jim Kiviaho, of Gore Bay, in his 16-year military career which focused on medical care.
“I am very humbled to have served in the (Canadian Armed) Forces,” said Mr. Kiviaho. “I’m no hero, but they who have gone before me are. God Bless Canada.”
“I served 16 years in the Canadian Army, having retired as a sergeant,” said Mr. Kiviaho, who was born in Sudbury but moved to Espanola with his family in 1952 at the age of four. “I really don’t have much of a story to tell. I started as a Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer when I was about 16-17 to learn the business through the military in the 1960s. At the time I was offered a full-time job in the military, but felt I couldn’t afford at that time to go into the military and instead needed to work in another profession full-time.”
“One of the areas I ended up being involved in was in trucking, for 55 years, it has always been one of my fallback options for supplemental income and allowed me to have a job and see the country of Canada, along with learning the aspects of that industry,” said Mr. Kiviaho.
In 1970 Mr. Kiviaho was involved in a traumatic motor vehicle accident. “While I was in the hospital, for several years, I had the ability to gain a lot of medical knowledge and upon recouping from my injuries I had the opportunity to become involved with the ambulance service and work at the hospital as an orderly/emergency medical services employee.”
“After that I started with emergency medical services (EMS) around 1972-1973 and had the opportunity to take the ambulance program based on the Bachelor of Science for Nursing in 1974. Once I graduated from this program, I had the opportunity to make a few more bucks and live and work in Sault Ste. Marie with the credentials of Advanced Cardiac Life Support.” He held a full-time job as a paramedic for a total of 43 years, having started in Sault Ste. Marie and moving to Gore Bay in 2003 where he continued working with the local EMS for another 17 years, retiring with post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“During the time I was in the Sault I had the opportunity to get involved and join 26 Service (military) Battalion and had the opportunity to work in a medical infirmary, helping to look after the emergency department for 26 Service-49th Field Regiment to fulfill my services,” continued Mr. Kiviaho. “Through this I was able to function and qualified as a sergeant to support field activity and the infirmary.”
“I worked under Dr. Major Mike Taylor and later under Dr. David Gould, a cardiologist, who allowed me to work under him in all fields,” said Mr. Kiviaho. “This took me to places I would rather not talk about.”
“I served for 16 years and worked in the field and with a small (military) staff and with my experience in trucking as well I did everything from moving weapons to using a wrecker (truck) to fixing vehicles, to help medically to keep troops mobile and alive. I worked as a certified driver/trainer for the military in things like weapons handling, how they are to be used,” said Mr. Kiviaho. When coaxed to elaborate he said, “I ended up saving a couple of groups of military members in training when they found themselves in danger in training exercises. Without fast action there would have potentially been lives lost.”
“I also helped the military when rollovers of vehicles took place and with helping people that got hurt,” said Mr. Kiviaho. “I was like a jack of all trades, helping repair vehicles and people.”
Mr. Kiviaho, 76, is the Sergeant at Arms of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 514 in Gore Bay, and was previously the president of the Amy, Navy and Airforce Veterans (ANA Vets). “I also help people who have PTSD, who are in the same situation I was.”
“Helping to prevent, preserve and protect has always guided my life. I always believed in three things, my God, my country and at the time the queen and I would put my life before anyone,” said Mr. Kiviaho.
“I served as a paramedic for 43 years,” he said. “PTSD stopped me from continuing and led to my retirement. But with much help I have recovered some.”
“There are heroes, there are graveyards full of veterans who are true heroes,” said Mr. Kiviaho. “These were our heroes who gave us our freedom today. I could only support what they have done for us. They have given their all. But I’m still alive to serve, not in the military, but I have dedicated my life to serving people and would have given my life for anyone in despair. I salute all those who have gone before me and can only hope that I have served in all aspects of life to support what they have given me, my freedom.”
“Remembrance Day is what it’s all about. Lest we forget,” added Mr. Kiviaho.
Mr. Kiviaho’s daughter Leslie and son-in-law Ryan Chiarelli, of Deep River, both served for Canada as well. Ms. Chiarelli served in the 26 Service Battalion for over 10 years retiring from the military, while her husband was in the 2 Horse Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in the military, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, retiring after his second tour of duty.
Mr. Kiviaho lives in Gore Bay with his wife Evelyn.
