ESPANOLA—Paramedic uniforms of the Manitoulin Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) will be sporting new crests soon, following approval of the new design by the board at their March 24 meeting.
“Since the last board meeting, paramedic services staff have been surveyed, and as reported, two thirds of our paramedics responded to the survey with more than 50 percent of respondents picking crest option No. 3, with comments suggesting that a black background be utilized,” said Michael MacIsaac, chief of paramedic services with the DSB, indicating the graphic illustrated with this article was contained within the board members’ packages.
“The cresting within the badge takes its shape and form from the Canadian paramedic rank and insignia, which is currently used on the paramedic uniform on the shoulder epaulettes,” said Chief MacIsaac. “You will notice that the Star of Life is not part of the design,” he continued, “as it is not considered within the Canadian insignia. The Star of Life is actually an American design created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1973 after the American Red Cross complained in that the traditional orange cross too closely resembled their logo. You will often find the Star of Life on a variety of items related to emergency response including not only ambulances but also fire trucks and helmets. The Canadian insignia is truly meant for Paramedics.”
“The new design has an emphasis placed on the wording of ‘paramedic’ as well as ‘Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB,’ recognizing our profession and organization,” explained the paramedic chief. “The Rod of Asclepius (rod and snake) in the centre takes its name from the god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicinal arts in Greek mythology. This is not to be confused with the Caduceus which consists of a winged staff and two snakes and actually represents merchants and trade. The modern use of the caduceus as a symbol of medicine in the late 19th and early 20th century as a result of documented mistakes, misunderstandings and confusion.”
That most recognizable of Canadian icons, the red maple leaf, “symbolizes our country, while the white trillium represents our province. The golden wreath of 19 maple leafs represents the 18 member municipalities that make up the DSB as well as the unorganized territory (TWOMO).”
“The medicine wheel is prominently displayed within the wreath representing First Nations, continued Chief MacIsaac. “This also ties in organizationally as a medicine wheel surrounds four people holding hands as part the DSB logo.”
Espanola DSB board member Stewart Miekleham asked whether the medicine wheel colours and their orientation was accurately and traditionally portrayed. Chief MacIsaac responded that it is, although an earlier depiction of the crest had the colours misaligned, according to regional traditions.
