Local paramedic, Fanshawe grad, remembered
A graduate of the Fanshawe Paramedic Program, and five year London paramedic worker, was killed in a car accident last week on his way to work.
Steve Baldinelli, who graduated from Fanshawe in 1995, was driving to his morning shift at the ambulance station on Trossacks Avenue when his vehicle was involved in a collision. Baldinelli was seriously injured from the crash and succumbed to his injuries, said Constable Amanda Pheffer of London Police.
The collision occurred at 6:45 am on Wednesday, September 28 near the intersection of Clark Road and Huron Street in North London. A portion of Clark Road was closed for several hours while traffic reconstruction investigators surveyed the scene.
“It happened right before a shift change, so both of our supervisors were called [to the scene],” said Middlesex London EMS Community Relations Coordinator Chris Slabon. According to Slabon, the paramedics called to the accident knew one of their own was injured, but they didn't know it was Baldinelli until they reached the scene.
Slabon said the tragedy has hit the paramedic community pretty hard, especially since Baldinelli's girlfriend, who graduated from Fanshawe in 2001, is also a paramedic.
“We are the ones usually dealing with others dying, but when its one of your own it's pretty hard.”
Pheffer said another single occupant vehicle involved in the crash, in which the driver was taken to the hospital and released with minor injuries.
Mark Hunter, Paramedic Program Coordinator who taught Baldinelli 10 years ago, said Fanshawe had a presence at the funeral and some current Fanshawe students were in attendance.
“We have been asked by the family to set up a bursary in Steve's honour,” said Hunter.
Slabon said all paramedics and emergency workers have access to in-house critical stress councillors. He also advised Fanshawe's paramedic students not to get discouraged by the tragedy.
Hunter said between 40 and 45 people graduate from Fanshawe's Paramedic Program each year.
Steve Baldinelli, who graduated from Fanshawe in 1995, was driving to his morning shift at the ambulance station on Trossacks Avenue when his vehicle was involved in a collision. Baldinelli was seriously injured from the crash and succumbed to his injuries, said Constable Amanda Pheffer of London Police.
The collision occurred at 6:45 am on Wednesday, September 28 near the intersection of Clark Road and Huron Street in North London. A portion of Clark Road was closed for several hours while traffic reconstruction investigators surveyed the scene.
“It happened right before a shift change, so both of our supervisors were called [to the scene],” said Middlesex London EMS Community Relations Coordinator Chris Slabon. According to Slabon, the paramedics called to the accident knew one of their own was injured, but they didn't know it was Baldinelli until they reached the scene.
Slabon said the tragedy has hit the paramedic community pretty hard, especially since Baldinelli's girlfriend, who graduated from Fanshawe in 2001, is also a paramedic.
“We are the ones usually dealing with others dying, but when its one of your own it's pretty hard.”
Pheffer said another single occupant vehicle involved in the crash, in which the driver was taken to the hospital and released with minor injuries.
Mark Hunter, Paramedic Program Coordinator who taught Baldinelli 10 years ago, said Fanshawe had a presence at the funeral and some current Fanshawe students were in attendance.
“We have been asked by the family to set up a bursary in Steve's honour,” said Hunter.
Slabon said all paramedics and emergency workers have access to in-house critical stress councillors. He also advised Fanshawe's paramedic students not to get discouraged by the tragedy.
Hunter said between 40 and 45 people graduate from Fanshawe's Paramedic Program each year.
