City recognizes Transpo staff for acts of valour, exceptional service

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A number of OC Transpo bus operators were among a list of honourees at the annual Transecure awards Sunday.

Operator Kirk Joseph was recognized for his quick action when faced with a youngster choking on a piece of candy. The child’s parent was unable clear their airway, so Joseph performed the Heimlich manoeuver at the edge of the road. The manoeuvre dislodged the blockage and the child’s breathing returned to normal.

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On March 18, as operator Hassan Ahmed pulled into Hurdman Station, he spotted a customer on the bus platform in medical distress. He pulled his bus to the curb, and alerted the transit control centre for assistance. As Ahmed left his vehicle, saw that the man needed CPR. He started performing CPR, while the control centre dispatched the Transpo special constables and called the Ottawa Paramedic Service. It was later established the passenger was in cardiac arrest. Paramedics took over treatment and transported the victim to hospital for urgent care.

On the evening of January 15, a young female customer boarded Jessica Basquin’s bus wearing no jacket, shoes or socks. After speaking with the young girl, Basquin established she had run away from home. The operator advised the control centre and  special constables and Ottawa police were notified. Jessica provided shelter to the young girl in the vehicle until OPS arrived. Both SCU and OPS had received reports of this missing girl.

Also honoured was operator Jerome Watters, who received an award for his 45 years of accident-free service.

Transpo
Jerome Watters received an award for his 45 years of accident-free service. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
Recipients of the Transecure Awards
From left: Hassan Ahmed, Jessica Basquin, and Kirk Joseph, the three recipients of the Transecure Awards. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
Renée Amilcar, OC Transpo's general manager, took part in Sunday's event.
Renée Amilcar, OC Transpo’s general manager, took part in Sunday’s event. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
Jerome Watters received an award for his 45 years of accident-free service
Jerome Watters received an award for his 45 years of accident-free service from Glen Gower, councillor for Stittsville and chair of the transit commission. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
OC Transpo awards
Recipient of the Transecure Outstanding Call of the Year went to Kirk Joseph. Joseph was navigating his route when he heard a passenger calling for help. A young passenger was choking on a piece of candy and he was able to do the heimlich maneuver to successfully dislodged the candy and clear the child’s airway. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

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