A Mission resident who is posted with BC Ambulance Service in Abbotsford has been awarded the St. John Ambulance National Silver Award for saving a life.
The award was recently presented to 2nd Lieut. Catharina Goossen by Maj. Anthony Bone at the 521 Aurora Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS).
On March 25 of this year, Goossen was travelling on a ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen when she heard a call for medical assistance.
Goossen has been a paramedic with the BC Ambulance Service for 25 years and instincts immediately took over.
She worked alongside BC Ferries staff and an on-scene doctor to provide 45 minutes of continuous cardio pulmonary resuscitation while the ferry returned to dock.
She was met by advanced life support paramedics.
Goossen had been returning from training in Victoria for her role as the administration officer for 521 RCACS.
She has been with the squadron for five years and also volunteers her skills as the first aid officer.
The St. John Ambulance National Silver Award recognizes individuals or groups who have saved or attempted to save a life through the application of first aid knowledge and skills, where no risk to life exists. The cadet program offers emergency and standard first aid training to all cadets and adult staff.