At a time when many traditions fade, the Alliance of Canadian Paramedic Honour Guards (ACPHG) continues to uphold the values of respect, discipline, and unity that define the paramedic profession. Founded in 2007, the Alliance now brings together 46 honour guard units across Canada, including its most recent member in Yukon.
Beyond commemorating fallen paramedics, the ACPHG helps strengthen public understanding of paramedicine, connects generations of professionals, and promotes a shared sense of pride across the country.
A national tradition of respect
Each year since its founding, the Alliance has hosted its annual roundtable, rotating from province to province to encourage collaboration and learning.
The 2025 roundtable, held in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, featured the latest updates to the drill instructor program as part of the senior leaders’ course, a key step in advancing training and mentorship within the honour guard network.
“We continue to explore ways to support one another by sharing training, resources, and experience,” explains Blaine Barody, President of the ACPHG and Advanced Care Paramedic with 30 years of service in Alberta.
Beyond ceremony: representing paramedics with pride
Honour guards have been part of Canada’s paramedic services since the late 1980s. While their presence is often seen at memorials and funerals, their mission extends far beyond those moments.
“Half of what we do is memorial in nature, the other half celebrates life,” Barody says.
From graduations and retirements to station openings, awards, and weddings, honour guards embody professionalism and unity, reminding communities of the discipline and compassion that define paramedics. Their presence reflects a profession built on respect, for colleagues, for history, and for those they serve.
Elevating the professional image of paramedics
A key focus of the ACPHG is to enhance the public and professional image of paramedics. Through training and mentorship, the Alliance helps members present themselves with confidence and precision, reinforcing the respect the profession deserves.
Barody notes, “When you wear a dress uniform, it should be in top condition and worn with pride. When we stand beside police, fire, and the Canadian Forces, we want to look like we belong there.”
This standard of excellence strengthens the reputation of paramedics as skilled professionals and trusted public safety partners.
Passing on tradition to the next generation
For many new recruits, the ceremonial side of the profession is unfamiliar. Through national mentorship and shared standards, the ACPHG helps local services introduce these traditions to new paramedics.
“We provide resources and guidance for services looking to establish their own honour guard, helping them understand how tradition can lift morale and reinforce a sense of belonging,” Barody explains.
These customs connect today’s EMS professionals to the long lineage of caregivers who once served on battlefields, reminding them that paramedicine has always been about courage, compassion, and community.
Building an honour guard: how to join the Alliance
Paramedics interested in forming an honour guard are encouraged to start locally — speaking with their leadership teams before reaching out to the ACPHG. Once approved, new members are welcomed into the Alliance, gaining access to mentorship, resources, and training opportunities.
“What took us over a decade to build, we can now help others achieve in just a few years,” says Barody.
This collaboration ensures the tradition continues to grow and thrive across Canada.
A unified community
The ACPHG’s motto, Semper Memoria, “Always Remembered”, captures the heart of its mission: honouring the past while inspiring the future.
Demers Ambulances is proud to support the Alliance’s conferences and initiatives, recognizing that supporting paramedics goes beyond designing ambulances, it’s about strengthening the culture, pride, and community that drive the profession forward.