Deborah Roberts

Deb Roberts has dedicated nearly 25 years as a Licensed Primary Care Paramedic to enhancing BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) in her community of Port Alberni and the province of BC. She embodies the values shared by BCEHS and PHSA of compassion, respect, equity, courage and innovation through her ongoing efforts as a frontline paramedic, instructor and speaker, but most specifically as the creator and lead of the High School EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) and Youth Pathways program.

The High School EMR Program began in 2013 when Deb recognized the opportunity to introduce a health care-related dual-credit program in high schools for Grade 11 and 12 students, similar to what was being done in other disciplines. As an instructor at the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), Deb knew the existing curriculum could be adapted to work within the high school semester. The Port Alberni District School Board was supportive of the idea but wanted it to be taught by their teachers.

Deb discussed this with the JIBC and worked with the school district to develop a “train the trainer” type program. She then adapted the community EMR program to a full semester for the students, JIBC trained two high school teachers, and it was introduced at Port Alberni District Secondary School. Students completing the program graduate with a certification in EMR and receive four credits toward their Grade 12 graduation requirements.

Since its inception, 140 students in Port Alberni have completed the EMR program, learning invaluable professional and life skills, with many going on to enter health care professions after graduation. This success was noted by BCEHS leadership, and in December 2022, Deb was asked to step back from her on-car paramedic duties to expand the program throughout the province. In 2023-24, three more schools were added in Comox, Central Okanagan, and Smithers, with an additional 50 students completing the program. In an unprecedented move, licensing sessions were added to each school, resulting in 36 brand new, fully licensed EMRs at the end of June 2024. This coming year of 2024-25 has a record number, with 12 schools now on board.

Ryan Devries completed the EMR course in 2017 and served as a Teaching Assistant the following year. After graduation he became a full-time paramedic with BCEHS. He says, “Deb opened my eyes to a career I never would have expected to follow. She’s an awesome person who puts so much energy into the program and makes sure the students and teachers have everything they need to be successful. You learn more than just emergency medical skills in this class. You gain incredible study skills, learn accountability, and develop a strong sense of community with the other students.” Port Alberni Secondary School’s former Principal, Rob Souther echoes Ryan’s praise of Deb’s enthusiasm working with students and staff. “Deb has invaluable knowledge that she freely shares with everyone and is always quick to jump in to provide any kind of support. She’s filled in for a teacher who was ill during testing time, arranged for paramedics and an ambulance to visit during the course, and is often at the school as a volunteer providing first aid at tournaments or to speak to students at various events,” he says.

Due to Deb’s guidance and commitment to youth development and enhancing BCEHS recruitment, the program has developed a stellar reputation and schools around BC and Yukon are eager to introduce it within their curriculum.