When I was still in high school, I spent my march break riding along on the south shore of Nova Scotia. I worked with many different people that week and it was their passion for EMS that help me choose my professional path to become an Advance Care Paramedic today. Unfortunately, this month one of the most memorable people that I spent a lot of time with during my first experience in EMS took his life on March 8, 2008.

When I talk about some of my funniest memories that I have in EMS, more often than not, Randy's name would appear. He had such a dry sense of humor that kept everyone in the room interested. For me, as a young student in high school, it was Randy's stories and comments about EMS that help shape my views and perspective on emergency services.

Now, whenever a paramedic student joins us as part of their educational requirement, I find myself reflecting back to my first week in EMS and the advice and wisdom that was shared with me. It's easy to forget the impertinence of being a preceptor and the lasting impressions we leave with our students. After a week of being the brunt of every joke and verbally abused as the station rookie, it was to my surprise when I was pulled aside by Randy just before I left to go back to high school. It was his uncharacteristic positive comments about the past week that made me want to begin training for a career in EMS. I have often wondered what I would be doing today if Randy hadn't taken the time to talk to me and share his thoughts on EMS.

I may never truly understand the choices that Randy made in life. For me I will remember the man that had such a passion for fire and EMS and could never see himself doing anything other than serving his community. Here is a short video celebrating the life of Randy Neily.





NEILY, Randy Ernest - 51, New Harbour, passed away Saturday March 8, 2008, at home. Born in Berwick, he was a son of Colin (Eileen) Neily, Powell River, B.C., and the late Beulah (Zinck) Neily. He is survived by brother, Richard (Catherine) Neily, Falmouth, and their children, Joel (Irene Ferrara) Neily, Windsor; Lacey Neily, Calgary, Alta.; brother, Ryan (Catherine) Neily, Halifax; sister, Lorelei (Garnet) Becker, Powell River, B.C., and her children, Leah, Richard, Cory and Lisa Becker; special family friends, Philip and Dawn Publicover, Blandford; Patrick Trider, Hantsport. Cremation has taken place and a family service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Blandford and Area Fire Rescue. On-line condolences can be made at: www.rawalker.ca