First Responders Day 2025 celebrated in Haliburton County

Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Bancroft Times

First Responders Day was celebrated in Haliburton County on May 1 through a number of free events held throughout the region that shone a light on the skills, hard work and sacrifice of first responders. The day was celebrated at the Highlands East Fire Department, Station 4 in Wilberforce with a plethora of activities and information for everyone who came by. Events were also held in Algonquin Highlands at Station 60 in Dorset, Station 70 in Dwight, Station 60 in Stanhope, in Dysart et al. at the Dysart Fire Department and EMS Base, and in Minden Hills at the Minden Hills EMS Base and Fire Department.

Ontario first proclaimed First Responders Day on May 1 twelve years ago. This year, on April 23, 2025, Warden Dave Burton, who is also the mayor of Highlands East, proclaimed May 1 First Responders’ Day, with the following proclamation;

Whereas first responders are those who in the early stages of an emergency, are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence and the environment; and

Whereas first responders include professions such as paramedics, police officers, firefighters, doctors, medical evacuation pilots, community emergency managers, road maintenance personnel, and military personnel; and

Whereas first responders’ commitment to duty is unwavering, responding to emergencies with courage, compassion and expertise, their skills often mean the difference between life and death; and

Whereas the services, dedication and commitment of first responders deserve to be recognized and honoured; and

Whereas in 2013 the Ontario Legislature proclaimed that May 1st of each year would be proclaimed First Responders Day;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That I, Warden Dave Burton, on behalf of Haliburton County Council, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2025 to be ‘First Responders Day’ in Haliburton County.

First responders include volunteers and professionals who work as police officers, firefighters, military personnel, paramedics, medical evacuation pilots, dispatchers, nurses, doctors, emergency medical technicians and emergency managers. On May 1, community members were able to visit open houses at bases, halls and stations to learn more about the critical role both professional and volunteer emergency responders have in keeping us safe. They were able to meet local and visiting emergency personnel, learn about programs and services, volunteer and career opportunities, understand how to prepare for emergencies, and get up close to emergency equipment and vehicles.

Sue Tiffin, director of community outreach for Haliburton County, told The Haliburton Echo on April 29 that they are excited for First Responders Day 2025, the third annual event celebrating first responders in their community.

“The day honours the work of individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service and whose life-saving skills often make the difference between life and death. In our small community these are our family members, friends, neighbours, and they work – either professionally or as volunteers – to keep us safe. For the third year, members of the Haliburton County Paramedic Services, municipal fire departments, and the Haliburton Highlands OPP are coming together to invite the public to a Haliburton County-wide community open house to learn more about the critical work first responders do to keep our communities safe. At the April 23 County Council meeting, Warden Dave Burton proclaimed May 1 to be First Responders Day in Haliburton County,” she says.

Tiffin says that it’s a county-wide event unique to their community, and that while it’s a day celebrated throughout Ontario in different ways, they haven’t seen anything quite like this happening elsewhere yet. She says residents of all ages are invited to participating ambulance bases, fire halls and police stations in each municipality on May 1.

“The event gives folks a chance to stop in and meet their local emergency personnel, as well as visiting guests (for example, our HHOPP partners often bring K-9, and partners from victim services and CMHA-HKPR); learn more about programs and services offered; hear about volunteer and career opportunities; find out how to prevent or prepare for emergencies; and of course, get an up-close look at emergency equipment and vehicles. The event takes place rain or shine!” she says.

Tiffin reveals that new this year, two additional locations have been added to Algonquin Highlands (in Dorset and Oxtongue Lake/Dwight); in Minden, the OPP will join the Minden Fire Department and Haliburton County Paramedic Service base in Minden at one stop rather than separate locations; Haliburton County’s Community Paramedics will also be at each base to display the equipment they use and discuss the critical and innovative role they play in health equity for our location community; and Haliburton County’s new Paramedic Chief for Haliburton County will be on site, meeting residents in both Haliburton and Minden.

“From a Community Safety and Well-Being perspective, it’s important for community to get together when we can. As a community it’s important for us to celebrate each other and recognize the work we do. This is a great opportunity for all of us to meet first responders when we’re not in crisis, and to learn about what we can do to be proactive and take preventative measures to avoid an emergency response whenever possible,” she says.

Tiffin said that she’ll try to attend as many of the events throughout the County, at least one in each local municipality as possible. She says that each location is unique and it’s a joy to visit them.

“We always hope there will be a great turn-out of visitors on First Responders Day, both to honour the first responders themselves, who put much effort into making this day special for the community, and to bring the community together to learn about safety, emergency preparation, and response. We remind residents that it’s absolutely okay to stop by on their own, or also to bring a neighbour, their children, or grandchildren,” she says.

Burton told The Bancroft Times on May 1 that it’s totally impressive what first responders do.

“We can say that they’re having a day for this but the years and years of training and to get qualified for what they do and how they do it and how many lives they’ve saved throughout that training. It’s pretty remarkable and quite a dedication and they sure save a lot of lives,” he says.

Chris Baughman is the fire chief for Highlands East and says they get 300 to 325 calls per year, 50 or 60 of them being medicals. As far as the questions they get during First Responders Day, he says the kids usually ask about the trucks and hoses and putting the gear on, while the adults query about the burn regulations and other general inquiries. He says it’s not every person that can be a first responder.

“I hear it all the time. Oh, I wouldn’t be doing that or how do you do it? A thank you goes a long way and we don’t always hear that. That’s usually all they’re looking for is a thank you. They’re not looking for any recognition to be a hero. It’s just doing what they can when they can. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do but at least you were there and tried. We appreciate any good will that comes our way,” he says.

Baughman said on May 5 that due to the rainy weather, they had about 30 people come by, which was about half the number from last year when the weather was nicer.

“The responders certainly enjoy talking with the public, hearing their side of a personal emergency where they may have dealt with some of our responders. The thanks are much appreciated and these interactions help provide motivation to continue,” he says.

Mike Slatter is the paramedic chief for Haliburton County and thought the day was awesome.

“I think it’s a great recognition for all that the front-line people do every day. And it’s nice to be able to meet people and show them a few things,” he says.

Wade MacPherson is the paramedic deputy chief for Haliburton County and says that at the end of the day they serve the community.

“So much of what we do is behind closed doors with things like patient privacy, so it’s nice to have these opportunities to open up and show people what we do. It’s very important to us,” he says.

On the day of the event, a steady rain reduced attendance numbers, in Wilberforce at least, but a fair number of people came by the fire station to say hello and query the first responders and have a look at the amazing artwork attached to the side of one of the fire trucks that local students had drawn to pay homage to the work that first responders do in their community. The Wilberforce FUNraising Group also had a full spread of cupcakes, cookies, fruits, vegetables and drinks for all those who came by.

Tiffin told The Bancroft Times on May 2 that as always, First Responders Day was a positive event, full of collaboration and community spirit.

“The event was held at six locations around Haliburton County this year. Despite the steady downpour of rain, the day was a great one. Each location really does the day differently – they all offer activities, learning opportunities, and resources – but from one location to the next the event differs, so you could visit multiple locations and have a different experience at each. Kids from throughout the County love the event, of course, and had a great opportunity to learn about the equipment that both our local teams and specialty teams use, and meet the first responders themselves. Some kids return year after year to participate. Adults – with or without kids – are able to ask questions, learn about resources available to prevent or prepare for emergency, and also get a close look at some of the equipment used. Many people in the community stopped by simply to say thanks,” she says. “The event is also great for collaboration and networking between our emergency response teams who don’t always get to be in the same place together.”

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