Skip to content

North Vancouver resident receives public service medal from Governor General

A North Vancouver resident has received commendation from the Governor General of Canada for his outstanding public service.
pic

A North Vancouver resident has received commendation from the Governor General of Canada for his outstanding public service.

Erik Nelson Vu was one of 40 Canadians to be honoured for their “excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service” at a ceremony with Gov. Gen. Julie Payette held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Thursday morning.

Vu was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, which celebrates Canadians who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brings honour to Canada, according to a government press release.

Vu established the Abbotsford Police Department’s Tactical Emergency Medical Service, a program “designed to train operators in life-saving medical care when it is too dangerous for paramedics or other medical assistants to administer aid,” according to the release.

Through his training and oversight, the program has improved the safety of TEMS operators and lead to increased public safety in the community, the release states.

The 40 recipients, who all hail from across the country, attended the ceremony at the Governor General’s residence in order to receive honours such as a Decoration for Bravery, a Meritorious Service Decoration, a Polar Medal, or a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

Meritorious Service Decorations can be separated into military or civil divisions, with two levels pertaining to either a cross or a medal, the release notes.