‘It’s an honour’: Grande Prairie STARS members awarded for Tumbler Ridge response

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A flight nurse and a medic were recently awarded for their work in patient care during the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. 

The Chief Ambulance Officer’s Commendation for Excellence in Adversity award was presented to two Grande Prairie STARS members, flight nurse Janice Kirkham and flight paramedic Jeremy Mandoli, on April 14th in a ceremony in Alberta. 

According to BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), this award recognizes BCEHS and other medical first responders who deliver outstanding service in the face of “particularly challenging circumstances.” Kirkham and Mondoli are the first recipients of this award outside of the province. 

On February 10th, eight people were killed by Jesse Van Rootselaar – who also died – in a mass shooting at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and at a residence nearby.

BCEHS, in a written statement to Energeticcity.ca, said it has recognized the exceptional service of people involved in the medical response to this incident with the Chief Ambulance Officer Commendations for Excellence in Adversity. 

The award was given to 85 BCEHS employees and two STARS members for their service in Tumbler Ridge. 

“BCEHA is…recognizing two STARS members who responded to Tumbler Ridge via air ambulance helicopter and worked with Northern Health staff to care for and treat critically injured patients,” it added. “These patients were ultimately transported to hospital by BCEHS air ambulance under the care of BCEHS critical care paramedics.” 

Jeremy Mandoli, STARS flight paramedic, said he was honoured to be presented with the award. 

“We were able to make an impact [for] one kid. I think from a personal perspective, it’s an honour to be presented with this award, and what it means to be the first recipients of the award outside of the province. I think it shows our layered response into B.C.,” he said. 

STARS flight nurse Janice Kirkham said: “It’s very humbling, and it is the honour of my career.”

STARS provincial director for Alberta operations, Josh Nash, said it was an honour to accept this recognition. 

“[It] speaks to the training and dedication of our STARS crew members. Our organization is proud of the team who responded in Tumbler Ridge, including our fellow first responders and partners in the health care system,” he noted. 

“It reflects the strength of inter‑agency cooperation with our partners at BC Emergency Health Services. We recognize BCEHS, the RCMP and local health care providers for their incredible work in response to this tragedy. As first responders, we are all working towards the same goal – caring for patients and supporting communities.”