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Welcome to ACAT 2025

Please mark your calendars and prepare to join us on March 4th & 5th, 2025 for the 2025 ACAT Safety Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.

ACAT Overview

 

ACAT Safety Conference 2025


We are excited and pleased to announce that planning is underway for the ACAT 2025 Safety Conference. Please mark your calendars and prepare to join us on March 4th & 5th, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
 
ACAT 2025 will bring together aeromedical transport operators from all over Canada to learn, share, and discuss solutions to common safety issues. The focus of this conference will once again encompass both Aviation and Paramedicine Safety. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in insightful presentations on safety-related topics and to connect with other aeromedical transport professionals. As in the past, attendees will have the option of attending in-person or virtually.  

Call for Presenters is now closed

Hotel Accommodations:
The Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport has provided preferred room rates for anyone attending the conference in person. Please note that availability is limited and the special rates will expire on February 1, 2025.

Book a Room

Stay tuned for further details as we get closer to the conference dates.
 
We look forward to seeing you all at ACAT 2025!
 

Ornge Overview

Strong. Proud. Uplifting. 

At Ornge, we believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
 
Each day, we connect communities with critical care across Ontario, Canada. In the air and by land, our teams deliver equity in emergency response, uplifting the lives of those in our care.  
 
A vital part of Ontario's health care system, Ornge provides high quality air ambulance services and medical transport to people who are critically ill or injured. In the air and on the ground, our job is to be there for patients, so they can get safe and timely care, transport and access to health services they need. 

 

Speakers

Keynote Speaker


Collaborative Just Culture & High Reliability

Paul LeSage
Assistant Chief (Ret.), Firefighter-EMT/P, BA, AS, MIS, Clinical Assistant Professor, OHSU School of Medicine, Founding Partner & Senior Analyst, SG Collaborative

 
Paul Lesage worked for 29 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Portland, Oregon, serving several years on the Technical Rescue and Dive Team and as a Helicopter Flight Paramedic with Life Flight Network. He retired from the fire department as the Assistant Chief of Operations in January 2010, has over 36 years of experience in emergency services as a provider and executive, and has received many awards and commendations, including the prestigious State of Oregon EMS Impact Award, several Lifesaving Awards, and the OFCA’s Golden Trumpet Award. He spent two years as the Interim Director at Oregon’s second-largest 911 Center, implementing a unique Quality and Performance Program.

Paul currently works as a Founding Partner and Senior Analyst with SG-Collaborative Solutions, where his work centers on creating reliable and resilient systems with high consequence customers. His current clients are primarily centered in commercial aviation, healthcare, and EMS. He also leads teams charged with deconstructing and analyzing aviation and healthcare incidents, and conducts Probabilistic and Predictive Risk Analyses that are designed to improve performance, sustain quality, and better manage risk.

Paul and his teams at SG currently conduct this work across the United States, and in Canada, Central America, and Australia. He holds degrees in Organizational Communications, Human F acrs Aalysis, EMS, and Fire Science, and is an instructor at the Oregon Health Sciences/OIT School of Medicine. Paul has authored a popular book on Crew Resource Management in Emergency Services, and was also the founder of Informed Publishing, which created Nursing, Medic, and Emergency Service mobile apps for frontline care providers.
 

Speakers


Learning Organization: “Do we really want to learn?”

Duncan Trapp
Director Aviation Safety Partnership | Willis Towers Watson

Following successful career in the UK’s Royal Air Force, where he flew as a navigator on Phantom F-4 fighters as well as Chinook and Puma helicopters, Duncan transferred to the commercial aviation world in 2007. His previous experience in a variety of senior appointments allowed him to smoothly transition and to quickly establish his credentials within a large helicopter operator delivering offshore, Search & Rescue and air ambulance services.

Having progressed through a variety of increasingly senior roles which broadened his portfolio, Duncan took on the Vice-President Safety & Quality for that company, including their Maintenance & Repair Organization, in 2012. In this role, Duncan joined the company’s Senior Leadership Team and began to play a more pivotal role in the broader helicopter industry, including hosting the company’s annual Safety Summit.  As well as being an active participant in the International Helicopter Safety Team (now VAST), Duncan was also one of the instigators of Heli Offshore (an industry safety collaboration forum) and their Insurance Sub Committee.
Duncan joined WTW in November of 2022 as Director, Aviation Safety Partnership; this new programme has safety at its core and aims to deliver dedicated safety risk mitigation advice tailored to our general aviation and rotor wing clients. That support focuses on three key areas: Partnership; Knowledge; and Solutions (Safety360): Safety 360 features a wide range of industry-leading protocols including independent safety management system assessments, investigation technique reviews, emergency response planning, business continuity development, safety culture surveys and human factors training.
 
Managing Safety and Risk in Autonomous Flight

Jeremy Wang
Co-Founder & COO - Ribbit

Dr. Jeremy C.-H. Wang is a Canadian aerospace engineer and entrepreneur with 10 years of experience in aerial robotics and regional air mobility. Jeremy’s previous experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, developing award-winning drones, rockets, and satellites for research and international design competitions. Jeremy has also worked on rocket engines at DLR and on-orbit servicing at the SGAC. In 2016, Jeremy was hired as CTO at Canada's top commercial drone operator, where he founded an engineering division developing long-range drones for industrial and military SOF clients, and helped scale operations across North America.

Since 2020, Jeremy has served as co-founder and COO of Ribbit, an airline that builds and operates self-flying airplanes for dual-use applications in rural, remote, and coastal markets. Ribbit is partnered with several wholesalers who spend $42M/yr on air freight into remote Indigenous communities. Ribbit is also actively collaborating with Transport Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and several national defence and public safety agencies to deliver advanced autonomous capabilities to the federal government. Besides his professional commitments, Jeremy is active in the broader aerospace and defence community, and serves as an adjunct professor of systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo. Jeremy holds a BASc in Engineering Science (Toronto) and PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Waterloo).
 

Incorporating Workload in a Biomathematical Model of Fatigue for Commercial Aviation
 
Dr. Jaime K. Devine
Associate Scientist | Institute of Behavior Resources - SAFTE-FAST

Dr. Jaime K. Devine is an associate scientist in Operational Fatigue and Performance at the Institute for Behavior Resources. IBR licenses the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (FAST®) software, which utilizes the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE™) biomathematical model of fatigue.
Dr. Devine earned her Masters and PhD in Neuroscience from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts and received a Certificate in Sleep Medicine from Harvard Medical School as a member of the Human Sleep and Inflammatory Systems Laboratory. She studied sleep behavior in United States Soldiers as a member of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Sleep Research Center and Operation Research Team.

She specializes in actigraphy and consumer sleep technologies, sleep in real-world and operational environments, and the interaction between sleep and health outcomes. She is active in the Association of Women in Science, 500 Women Scientists, and Mothers in Science advocacy groups. 
 

Aeromedical Evacuation in the Canadian Armed Forces: Capabilities, Operations, and Interoperability 
 
 
Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie BScN, RN 
​Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse and Biocontainment Officer at Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt), Detachment Winnipeg of Health Services Group Head Quarters.  

Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2020 as a direct entry Nursing Officer. She received her Nursing license in 2017 and gained extensive experience, specializing in cardiology and emergency medicine, while working in civilian hospitals. In 2023, she completed a postgraduate certificate in Global Health, further broadening her expertise.  Capt Theriault-Labrie’s CAF service began at 24 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (24 CF H Svcs C), where she served as a Community Health Nurse, Immunization Nurse, Primary Care Nurse, and Operations and Training Officer. During her time at 24 CF H Svcs C, she was awarded a Command Commendation for her exemplary work ethic and performance

In 2023, Captain Theriault-Labrie specialized as a Flight Nurse and is currently stationed with CF AE Flt in Trenton, Ontario. Since then, she has deployed on various live and training Aeromedical Evacuation missions, both domestically and internationally, accumulating over 100 flying hours. Additionally, she leads a specialized biocontainment team responsible for the safe transport of members contaminated with highly infectious diseases using the CAF Aeromedical Evacuation Biocontainment System (ABES).  Capt Theriault-Labrie obtained her Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator qualification and completed the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) Education for the Prevention of Infection series in 2024. Her expertise in infection prevention and control, coupled with her knowledge of air transportation operations, is instrumental in overseeing the capability to safely transport infected patients, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols and the highest standards of care during high-risk operations
 

Sergeant Robert Belisle MBA
Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Technician and Aeromedical Evacuation Standard Officer at Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt), Detachment Winnipeg of Health Services Group Head Quarters. 

Sergeant Robert Belisle joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2013 as a medical technician and earned his Primary Care Paramedicine Diploma from HealthEd College of Paramedic in 2015.  Sergeant Belisle has served with 1 Field Ambulance, where he deployed on Operation Lentus in 2015 and 2017, and with 24 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre. Since 2021, Sergeant Belisle has been stationed at the Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt) in Trenton, Ontario. 
While serving at CF AE Flt, Sergeant Belisle has deployed on Operation Aegis and participated in various aeromedical evacuation (AE) missions both domestically and internationally. He has served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Member and Medical Crew Director, accumulating over 500 flight hours. Currently, Sergeant Belisle serves as the Aeromedical Evacuation Standard Officer and Aeromedical Evacuation Training Officer, where he is pivotal in training personnel and maintaining operational readiness. 

In 2024, Sergeant Belisle completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration through the Australian Institute of Business. He is also qualified as a Flight Instructor, Instructional Supervisor, and Human Performance in Military Aviation Program Coordinator. His broad skill set and leadership in Aeromedical Evacuation highlight his commitment to excellence in both operational and instructional roles, ensuring that safety protocols are rigorously followed, and the highest standards are upheld throughout AE operations and training. 
 

High Risk Pathogens and Transport—Ornge Special Operations Live Demo
 
Patrick Auger BHSc, MEm, MMEd, CCP
Special Operations Coordinator | ORNGE

Patrick Auger has worked as a Critical Care Paramedic in Ontario for the last 30 years. Throughout his career, he has held operational and clinical leadership positions. He has experience teaching initial education in Ontario's Advanced Care and Critical Care Paramedic Programs. He is currently working as the Ornge Special Operations Coordinator and is helping Ornge develop specialized capabilities in the area of surge capacity and advanced clinical practice.
He is the Incident Commander for Ontario's Emergency Medical Assistance Team, a specialized medical field unit with a 56-bed capacity and mandate to provide surge capacity to complex emergencies. He has been a team member since 2004, initially starting as the CBRNE Team leader and then transitioning to leading the team as the Incident Commander in 2008.

He is interested in disaster management and is actively involved in Provincial and National emergency preparedness initiatives. He has experience in training and deploying highly specialized teams and is actively involved in organizing functional and full-scale exercises. His education includes a Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Emergency Management and a Master of Medical Education. He maintains instructor status in areas such as CBRNE and Incident Command Systems.
 
Anne-Marie Piche BAIntl, CCP
Special Operations Team Member | ORNGE

Anne-Marie Piche has worked as a Paramedic for the last 20 years, the last 11 years as a Critical Care Paramedic out of Ottawa. She has experience in curriculum development and delivering initial education for Advanced Care and Critical Care Paramedic programs. Anne-Marie is a member of the Ornge Special Operations team and is currently leading the working group to further develop the teams Special Pathogens Capabilities.

Anne-Marie is a member of the Incident Management Team for Ontario's Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), a specialized medical field unit with a 60-bed capacity and mandate to provide surge capacity to complex emergencies. She has been the Deputy Planning Chief for 13 years and has deployed throughout Ontario, acting in various capacities on the team (Planning, Safety and Operations).

Anne-Marie's interests are Disaster Intelligence and operationalizing healthcare teams in complex emergencies. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies, and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Emergency Management.
 


Paramedic Health 4.0: Advancements in Health and Safety Research
 
Dr. Amin Yazdani, PhD, CSP.
Executive Director, | CISWP

Dr. Amin Yazdani is the founder and executive director of the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance at Conestoga College. He is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Waterloo, chair of the Research Ethics Committee, and adjunct faculty at Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences. Dr. Yazdani holds a PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Safety Professional. He is also a member of the Executive Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Integration for the International Congress on Occupational Health.
 
Dr. Yazdani’s research focuses on developing innovative solutions to prevent workplace injuries. He employs a field-to-lab-to-field research methodology, integrating anthropometry, exposure assessment, and field data collection to advance work and health research. This integrative approach not only enhances the scientific understanding of injury risks but also generates practical, evidence-based solutions to improve workplace safety, performance, and productivity. Dr. Yazdani has spearheaded the development of several Canadian standards and guidelines aimed at making workplaces safer and more inclusive. He chairs multiple Canadian Standard Technical Development committees. His significant contributions have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Young Leader Award from the Standards Council of Canada.


Dr. Marcus Yung, PhD, CPE
Director, Development and Operations | CISWP


Dr. Yung is the Director of Development and Operations at the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance. He has expertise in human factors and ergonomics across multiple sectors. Dr. Yung’s research focuses on the etiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, exposure assessment, fatigue, and development of prevention strategies and interventions to mitigate injury risk. He has expertise in individual-level measurement using biomechanical and biophysical tools for both laboratory work simulations and field studies. Additionally, Dr. Yung uses population-level data to better understand exposure-disease relationships.

His work also includes developing and evaluating risk assessment tools, guidelines, and occupational health standards to prevent musculoskeletal injury risks and improve work performance. Dr. Yung is a Board-Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). Dr. Yung holds a PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) and an M.Sc

Torts and Turbulence: A Paramedic Lawyers Take
 
Christopher Robertson JD, MA, BA
Lawyer

Chris Robertson was a career Paramedic for over two decades. He first served as a Medic in the Canadian Forces Reserves.  He worked in land and air environments, including his time as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. He was an active educator of ACPs during Ontario's OPALS project in the late 1990s, and went on to be a Deputy Chief of a municipal Paramedic service in Eastern Ontario. He holds a BA in psychology and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

He completed his Juris Doctor degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is called to the bar in Ontario and is in current private practice as a lawyer in Ontario in general civil litigation, employment and human rights law, and regulatory and professional defence for certain healthcare providers. He maintains his interest in all things "Paramedic" in nature. He misses time in the air
 


Violence Against Paramedics: Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing a Complex and Growing Problem.
 
Dr. Justin Mausz
Advanced Care Paramedic and Scientist with Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Dr. Justin Mausz is an Advanced Care Paramedic and Scientist with Peel Regional Paramedic Services, a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and a scientist with the McNally Project for Paramedicine Research. Justin’s research focuses on occupational health and wellness issues affecting paramedics, including workplace violence prevention.

Justin is a Co-Principal Investigator in the Violence in Paramedicine Research Group. Follow Justin on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/justinmausz/) or visit www.protectparamedics.com/latest-research to learn more about his research.
 



Digital Facilities

Ian Giesbrecht
Manager, Stakeholder and Community Relations, Digital Aerodrome Air Traffic Services (DAATS) Team Lead – NAV CANADA

Ian Giesbrecht has been working for NAV CANADA, the nation’s private, not-for-profit Air Navigation Service Provider for 15 years. His current role is in the Stakeholder and Community Relations department; overseeing community relations when changes are made or proposed to Canadian airspace via re-design or project work.

He has also worked in the Safety and Quality and Operational Training departments – splitting time between Head Office in Ottawa and the Vancouver Area Control Centre. Ian and a team of course designers were awarded the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in 2017 for leading design of national courseware for High Level airspace control.
 
 

Location

All Canadian Aeromedical Transport (ACAT) 2025
Conference Venue:

Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga

870 Matheson BlvdMississauga, ON L4W 0B3Canada
905-361-6300
 

Agenda

Agenda


March 4th 2025:

8:00—8:30 Registration & Reception
Hilton Garden Inn—Toronto Airport
8:30—8:45 Opening Remarks
Homer Tien — Ornge CEO
Christian Melis — Paramedicine Safety
8:45—10:45 Keynote Presentation
Collaborative Just Culture & High Reliability
Presented by: Paul Lesage
10:45—11:00 Break (15 minutes)
11:00—12:00 Learning Organization: “Do we really want to learn?”
Presented by: Duncan Trapp
12:00—13:00
12:20—12:40
Lunch (1 hour)
Gold Sponsor presentation—AIRBUS
13:00—14:00 Managing Safety and Risk in Autonomous Flight
Presented by: Jeremy Wang
14:00—15:00 Incorporating Workload in a Biomathematical Model of Fatigue for Commercial Aviation
Presented by: Dr. Jaime K. Devine
15:00—15:15 Break (15 minutes)
15:15—16:15 Aeromedical Evacuation in the Canadian Armed Forces: Capabilities, Operations, and Interoperability 
Presented by: Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie & Sergeant Robert Belisle
16:15—16:30 Closing
Moderated by: Marcie Auger
1730  Union Social Eatery
5042 Satellite Drive
 
Please RSVP with our team at the registrations table
 
    * All times are in EST


March 5th 2025:

8:00—8:30 Registration & Reception
Hilton Garden Inn—Toronto Airport
8:30—10:00 High Risk Pathogens and Transport—Ornge Special Operations Live Demo
Presented by: Patrick Auger & Anne-Marie Piche
Ornge Special Operations Team
10:00—10:15 Break (15 minutes)
10:15—11:15 Paramedic Health 4.0: Advancements in Health and Safety Research
Presented by: Dr. Amin Yazdani & Dr. Marcus Yung
11:15—12:15 Torts and Turbulence: A Paramedic Lawyers Take
Presented by: Chris Robertson
12:15—13:15
12:40 to 13:00
Lunch (1 hour)
Gold Sponsor Presentation  - ABBOTT
13:15—14:15 Violence Against Paramedics: Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing a Complex and Growing Problem.
Presented by: Justin Mausz
14:15—14:30 Break (15 minutes)
14:30—15:30 Digital Facilities
Presented by: Ian Giesbrecht
 
15:30—16:00 Open Discussion & Closing Remarks
Moderated by: Marcie Auger
* All times are in EST 

Conference Sponsors

Thank you to all our conference sponsors that make this event possible!





























FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the conference?

Attendance is open to aeromedical operators, academia, governmental entities.

What presentations are scheduled throughout the two-day event?

There are a number of presentations, workshops and group discussions scheduled to take place throughout the event. Please see the presentation section above, or download the official ACAT shedule (link coming soon).

Who should attend?

Managers, Directors and leaders responsible for safety within an aeromedical operator would benefit from this conference, as well as front-line staff involved or interested in aviation safety, paramedicine safety and patient safety. The ACAT Safety conference is an opportunity to network, learn and share ideas that will improve aviation safety across Canada.

Where will the conference be held?

ACAT will be held in-person and virtually. The registration link will allow you to choose either option. You will receive your virtual attendance information/logon in the days leading up to the conference. The in-person conference venue is Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga1870 Matheson BlvdMississauga, ON L4W 0B3


I have not participated in past conferences, can I attend this year?

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The goal is to learn from one another; the more participants we have, the greater the learning opportunities.

What is the cost?

There is no cost for participation at the ACAT conference. You are responsible for your own travel and accommodations.

My organization would like to sponsor the conference, is that possible?

We welcome all sponsorship offers and will be happy to publicize your organization as thanks. Please contact aviationsafety@ornge.ca if you would like to become a sponsor.

View Presentations

2023 Presentations

ACAT Safety Conference 2023 on Vimeo

 

Past Presentations

2023 Presentations

Keynote Presentation Presented by: Captain Erik Temple

The Expanded In-Flight Environment: Improving Patient Care with Intelligent Connectivity Presented by: Luke Billington

The Dreaded Lawsuit: What Happens when a Paramedicine Incident Leads to a Lawsuit Presented by: Logan Crowell

Safety Culture Presented by: Justin Labelle

Quality and Patient Safety Leadership in Paramedicine: Nurturing an Authentic Culture of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety in Paramedicine Presented by: Ivanette Hargreaves (Stubbert)

Experiential Learning in Virtual Reality Presented by: Rob Theriault

Raising the Bar on Safety Presented by: Heather Parker

Patient Safety Incidents: What Does the Data Say? Presented by: Ben de Mendonca

Improving the Safety of Medication Use: Medication Safety Self-Assessment Presented by: Julie Greenall & James Bowen

Rewiring our Approach to Safety: Measurement and Monitoring of Safety in Canada Presented by: Anne MacLaurin

Bariatric Transport in the Aeromedical Environment Presented by: Patrick Auger

Paramedicine Safety—Trends and Developments Presented by: Marcie Auger & Robbie Lougheed

Fatigue, Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders Presented by: Dr. Jamie K. Devine

Urban Airspace Law: The Future of Canadian Healthcare Delivery Presented by: Katherine Ayre
 

 

ACAT Safety Conference 2025


We are excited and pleased to announce that planning is underway for the ACAT 2025 Safety Conference. Please mark your calendars and prepare to join us on March 4th & 5th, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
 
ACAT 2025 will bring together aeromedical transport operators from all over Canada to learn, share, and discuss solutions to common safety issues. The focus of this conference will once again encompass both Aviation and Paramedicine Safety. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in insightful presentations on safety-related topics and to connect with other aeromedical transport professionals. As in the past, attendees will have the option of attending in-person or virtually.  

Call for Presenters is now closed

Hotel Accommodations:
The Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport has provided preferred room rates for anyone attending the conference in person. Please note that availability is limited and the special rates will expire on February 1, 2025.

Book a Room

Stay tuned for further details as we get closer to the conference dates.
 
We look forward to seeing you all at ACAT 2025!
 

Strong. Proud. Uplifting. 

At Ornge, we believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
 
Each day, we connect communities with critical care across Ontario, Canada. In the air and by land, our teams deliver equity in emergency response, uplifting the lives of those in our care.  
 
A vital part of Ontario's health care system, Ornge provides high quality air ambulance services and medical transport to people who are critically ill or injured. In the air and on the ground, our job is to be there for patients, so they can get safe and timely care, transport and access to health services they need. 

 

Keynote Speaker


Collaborative Just Culture & High Reliability

Paul LeSage
Assistant Chief (Ret.), Firefighter-EMT/P, BA, AS, MIS, Clinical Assistant Professor, OHSU School of Medicine, Founding Partner & Senior Analyst, SG Collaborative

 
Paul Lesage worked for 29 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Portland, Oregon, serving several years on the Technical Rescue and Dive Team and as a Helicopter Flight Paramedic with Life Flight Network. He retired from the fire department as the Assistant Chief of Operations in January 2010, has over 36 years of experience in emergency services as a provider and executive, and has received many awards and commendations, including the prestigious State of Oregon EMS Impact Award, several Lifesaving Awards, and the OFCA’s Golden Trumpet Award. He spent two years as the Interim Director at Oregon’s second-largest 911 Center, implementing a unique Quality and Performance Program.

Paul currently works as a Founding Partner and Senior Analyst with SG-Collaborative Solutions, where his work centers on creating reliable and resilient systems with high consequence customers. His current clients are primarily centered in commercial aviation, healthcare, and EMS. He also leads teams charged with deconstructing and analyzing aviation and healthcare incidents, and conducts Probabilistic and Predictive Risk Analyses that are designed to improve performance, sustain quality, and better manage risk.

Paul and his teams at SG currently conduct this work across the United States, and in Canada, Central America, and Australia. He holds degrees in Organizational Communications, Human F acrs Aalysis, EMS, and Fire Science, and is an instructor at the Oregon Health Sciences/OIT School of Medicine. Paul has authored a popular book on Crew Resource Management in Emergency Services, and was also the founder of Informed Publishing, which created Nursing, Medic, and Emergency Service mobile apps for frontline care providers.
 

Speakers


Learning Organization: “Do we really want to learn?”

Duncan Trapp
Director Aviation Safety Partnership | Willis Towers Watson

Following successful career in the UK’s Royal Air Force, where he flew as a navigator on Phantom F-4 fighters as well as Chinook and Puma helicopters, Duncan transferred to the commercial aviation world in 2007. His previous experience in a variety of senior appointments allowed him to smoothly transition and to quickly establish his credentials within a large helicopter operator delivering offshore, Search & Rescue and air ambulance services.

Having progressed through a variety of increasingly senior roles which broadened his portfolio, Duncan took on the Vice-President Safety & Quality for that company, including their Maintenance & Repair Organization, in 2012. In this role, Duncan joined the company’s Senior Leadership Team and began to play a more pivotal role in the broader helicopter industry, including hosting the company’s annual Safety Summit.  As well as being an active participant in the International Helicopter Safety Team (now VAST), Duncan was also one of the instigators of Heli Offshore (an industry safety collaboration forum) and their Insurance Sub Committee.
Duncan joined WTW in November of 2022 as Director, Aviation Safety Partnership; this new programme has safety at its core and aims to deliver dedicated safety risk mitigation advice tailored to our general aviation and rotor wing clients. That support focuses on three key areas: Partnership; Knowledge; and Solutions (Safety360): Safety 360 features a wide range of industry-leading protocols including independent safety management system assessments, investigation technique reviews, emergency response planning, business continuity development, safety culture surveys and human factors training.
 
Managing Safety and Risk in Autonomous Flight

Jeremy Wang
Co-Founder & COO - Ribbit

Dr. Jeremy C.-H. Wang is a Canadian aerospace engineer and entrepreneur with 10 years of experience in aerial robotics and regional air mobility. Jeremy’s previous experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, developing award-winning drones, rockets, and satellites for research and international design competitions. Jeremy has also worked on rocket engines at DLR and on-orbit servicing at the SGAC. In 2016, Jeremy was hired as CTO at Canada's top commercial drone operator, where he founded an engineering division developing long-range drones for industrial and military SOF clients, and helped scale operations across North America.

Since 2020, Jeremy has served as co-founder and COO of Ribbit, an airline that builds and operates self-flying airplanes for dual-use applications in rural, remote, and coastal markets. Ribbit is partnered with several wholesalers who spend $42M/yr on air freight into remote Indigenous communities. Ribbit is also actively collaborating with Transport Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and several national defence and public safety agencies to deliver advanced autonomous capabilities to the federal government. Besides his professional commitments, Jeremy is active in the broader aerospace and defence community, and serves as an adjunct professor of systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo. Jeremy holds a BASc in Engineering Science (Toronto) and PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Waterloo).
 

Incorporating Workload in a Biomathematical Model of Fatigue for Commercial Aviation
 
Dr. Jaime K. Devine
Associate Scientist | Institute of Behavior Resources - SAFTE-FAST

Dr. Jaime K. Devine is an associate scientist in Operational Fatigue and Performance at the Institute for Behavior Resources. IBR licenses the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (FAST®) software, which utilizes the Sleep, Activity, Fatigue, and Task Effectiveness (SAFTE™) biomathematical model of fatigue.
Dr. Devine earned her Masters and PhD in Neuroscience from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts and received a Certificate in Sleep Medicine from Harvard Medical School as a member of the Human Sleep and Inflammatory Systems Laboratory. She studied sleep behavior in United States Soldiers as a member of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Sleep Research Center and Operation Research Team.

She specializes in actigraphy and consumer sleep technologies, sleep in real-world and operational environments, and the interaction between sleep and health outcomes. She is active in the Association of Women in Science, 500 Women Scientists, and Mothers in Science advocacy groups. 
 

Aeromedical Evacuation in the Canadian Armed Forces: Capabilities, Operations, and Interoperability 
 
 
Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie BScN, RN 
​Aeromedical Evacuation Flight Nurse and Biocontainment Officer at Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt), Detachment Winnipeg of Health Services Group Head Quarters.  

Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2020 as a direct entry Nursing Officer. She received her Nursing license in 2017 and gained extensive experience, specializing in cardiology and emergency medicine, while working in civilian hospitals. In 2023, she completed a postgraduate certificate in Global Health, further broadening her expertise.  Capt Theriault-Labrie’s CAF service began at 24 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (24 CF H Svcs C), where she served as a Community Health Nurse, Immunization Nurse, Primary Care Nurse, and Operations and Training Officer. During her time at 24 CF H Svcs C, she was awarded a Command Commendation for her exemplary work ethic and performance

In 2023, Captain Theriault-Labrie specialized as a Flight Nurse and is currently stationed with CF AE Flt in Trenton, Ontario. Since then, she has deployed on various live and training Aeromedical Evacuation missions, both domestically and internationally, accumulating over 100 flying hours. Additionally, she leads a specialized biocontainment team responsible for the safe transport of members contaminated with highly infectious diseases using the CAF Aeromedical Evacuation Biocontainment System (ABES).  Capt Theriault-Labrie obtained her Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator qualification and completed the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) Education for the Prevention of Infection series in 2024. Her expertise in infection prevention and control, coupled with her knowledge of air transportation operations, is instrumental in overseeing the capability to safely transport infected patients, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols and the highest standards of care during high-risk operations
 

Sergeant Robert Belisle MBA
Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Technician and Aeromedical Evacuation Standard Officer at Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt), Detachment Winnipeg of Health Services Group Head Quarters. 

Sergeant Robert Belisle joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2013 as a medical technician and earned his Primary Care Paramedicine Diploma from HealthEd College of Paramedic in 2015.  Sergeant Belisle has served with 1 Field Ambulance, where he deployed on Operation Lentus in 2015 and 2017, and with 24 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre. Since 2021, Sergeant Belisle has been stationed at the Canadian Forces Aeromedical Evacuation Flight (CF AE Flt) in Trenton, Ontario. 
While serving at CF AE Flt, Sergeant Belisle has deployed on Operation Aegis and participated in various aeromedical evacuation (AE) missions both domestically and internationally. He has served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Member and Medical Crew Director, accumulating over 500 flight hours. Currently, Sergeant Belisle serves as the Aeromedical Evacuation Standard Officer and Aeromedical Evacuation Training Officer, where he is pivotal in training personnel and maintaining operational readiness. 

In 2024, Sergeant Belisle completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration through the Australian Institute of Business. He is also qualified as a Flight Instructor, Instructional Supervisor, and Human Performance in Military Aviation Program Coordinator. His broad skill set and leadership in Aeromedical Evacuation highlight his commitment to excellence in both operational and instructional roles, ensuring that safety protocols are rigorously followed, and the highest standards are upheld throughout AE operations and training. 
 

High Risk Pathogens and Transport—Ornge Special Operations Live Demo
 
Patrick Auger BHSc, MEm, MMEd, CCP
Special Operations Coordinator | ORNGE

Patrick Auger has worked as a Critical Care Paramedic in Ontario for the last 30 years. Throughout his career, he has held operational and clinical leadership positions. He has experience teaching initial education in Ontario's Advanced Care and Critical Care Paramedic Programs. He is currently working as the Ornge Special Operations Coordinator and is helping Ornge develop specialized capabilities in the area of surge capacity and advanced clinical practice.
He is the Incident Commander for Ontario's Emergency Medical Assistance Team, a specialized medical field unit with a 56-bed capacity and mandate to provide surge capacity to complex emergencies. He has been a team member since 2004, initially starting as the CBRNE Team leader and then transitioning to leading the team as the Incident Commander in 2008.

He is interested in disaster management and is actively involved in Provincial and National emergency preparedness initiatives. He has experience in training and deploying highly specialized teams and is actively involved in organizing functional and full-scale exercises. His education includes a Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Emergency Management and a Master of Medical Education. He maintains instructor status in areas such as CBRNE and Incident Command Systems.
 
Anne-Marie Piche BAIntl, CCP
Special Operations Team Member | ORNGE

Anne-Marie Piche has worked as a Paramedic for the last 20 years, the last 11 years as a Critical Care Paramedic out of Ottawa. She has experience in curriculum development and delivering initial education for Advanced Care and Critical Care Paramedic programs. Anne-Marie is a member of the Ornge Special Operations team and is currently leading the working group to further develop the teams Special Pathogens Capabilities.

Anne-Marie is a member of the Incident Management Team for Ontario's Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), a specialized medical field unit with a 60-bed capacity and mandate to provide surge capacity to complex emergencies. She has been the Deputy Planning Chief for 13 years and has deployed throughout Ontario, acting in various capacities on the team (Planning, Safety and Operations).

Anne-Marie's interests are Disaster Intelligence and operationalizing healthcare teams in complex emergencies. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies, and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Emergency Management.
 


Paramedic Health 4.0: Advancements in Health and Safety Research
 
Dr. Amin Yazdani, PhD, CSP.
Executive Director, | CISWP

Dr. Amin Yazdani is the founder and executive director of the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance at Conestoga College. He is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Waterloo, chair of the Research Ethics Committee, and adjunct faculty at Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences. Dr. Yazdani holds a PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Safety Professional. He is also a member of the Executive Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Integration for the International Congress on Occupational Health.
 
Dr. Yazdani’s research focuses on developing innovative solutions to prevent workplace injuries. He employs a field-to-lab-to-field research methodology, integrating anthropometry, exposure assessment, and field data collection to advance work and health research. This integrative approach not only enhances the scientific understanding of injury risks but also generates practical, evidence-based solutions to improve workplace safety, performance, and productivity. Dr. Yazdani has spearheaded the development of several Canadian standards and guidelines aimed at making workplaces safer and more inclusive. He chairs multiple Canadian Standard Technical Development committees. His significant contributions have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Young Leader Award from the Standards Council of Canada.


Dr. Marcus Yung, PhD, CPE
Director, Development and Operations | CISWP


Dr. Yung is the Director of Development and Operations at the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance. He has expertise in human factors and ergonomics across multiple sectors. Dr. Yung’s research focuses on the etiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, exposure assessment, fatigue, and development of prevention strategies and interventions to mitigate injury risk. He has expertise in individual-level measurement using biomechanical and biophysical tools for both laboratory work simulations and field studies. Additionally, Dr. Yung uses population-level data to better understand exposure-disease relationships.

His work also includes developing and evaluating risk assessment tools, guidelines, and occupational health standards to prevent musculoskeletal injury risks and improve work performance. Dr. Yung is a Board-Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). Dr. Yung holds a PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) and an M.Sc

Torts and Turbulence: A Paramedic Lawyers Take
 
Christopher Robertson JD, MA, BA
Lawyer

Chris Robertson was a career Paramedic for over two decades. He first served as a Medic in the Canadian Forces Reserves.  He worked in land and air environments, including his time as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic. He was an active educator of ACPs during Ontario's OPALS project in the late 1990s, and went on to be a Deputy Chief of a municipal Paramedic service in Eastern Ontario. He holds a BA in psychology and an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies.

He completed his Juris Doctor degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is called to the bar in Ontario and is in current private practice as a lawyer in Ontario in general civil litigation, employment and human rights law, and regulatory and professional defence for certain healthcare providers. He maintains his interest in all things "Paramedic" in nature. He misses time in the air
 


Violence Against Paramedics: Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing a Complex and Growing Problem.
 
Dr. Justin Mausz
Advanced Care Paramedic and Scientist with Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Dr. Justin Mausz is an Advanced Care Paramedic and Scientist with Peel Regional Paramedic Services, a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and a scientist with the McNally Project for Paramedicine Research. Justin’s research focuses on occupational health and wellness issues affecting paramedics, including workplace violence prevention.

Justin is a Co-Principal Investigator in the Violence in Paramedicine Research Group. Follow Justin on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/justinmausz/) or visit www.protectparamedics.com/latest-research to learn more about his research.
 



Digital Facilities

Ian Giesbrecht
Manager, Stakeholder and Community Relations, Digital Aerodrome Air Traffic Services (DAATS) Team Lead – NAV CANADA

Ian Giesbrecht has been working for NAV CANADA, the nation’s private, not-for-profit Air Navigation Service Provider for 15 years. His current role is in the Stakeholder and Community Relations department; overseeing community relations when changes are made or proposed to Canadian airspace via re-design or project work.

He has also worked in the Safety and Quality and Operational Training departments – splitting time between Head Office in Ottawa and the Vancouver Area Control Centre. Ian and a team of course designers were awarded the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in 2017 for leading design of national courseware for High Level airspace control.
 
 

All Canadian Aeromedical Transport (ACAT) 2025
Conference Venue:

Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga

870 Matheson BlvdMississauga, ON L4W 0B3Canada
905-361-6300
 

Agenda


March 4th 2025:

8:00—8:30 Registration & Reception
Hilton Garden Inn—Toronto Airport
8:30—8:45 Opening Remarks
Homer Tien — Ornge CEO
Christian Melis — Paramedicine Safety
8:45—10:45 Keynote Presentation
Collaborative Just Culture & High Reliability
Presented by: Paul Lesage
10:45—11:00 Break (15 minutes)
11:00—12:00 Learning Organization: “Do we really want to learn?”
Presented by: Duncan Trapp
12:00—13:00
12:20—12:40
Lunch (1 hour)
Gold Sponsor presentation—AIRBUS
13:00—14:00 Managing Safety and Risk in Autonomous Flight
Presented by: Jeremy Wang
14:00—15:00 Incorporating Workload in a Biomathematical Model of Fatigue for Commercial Aviation
Presented by: Dr. Jaime K. Devine
15:00—15:15 Break (15 minutes)
15:15—16:15 Aeromedical Evacuation in the Canadian Armed Forces: Capabilities, Operations, and Interoperability 
Presented by: Captain Camille Theriault-Labrie & Sergeant Robert Belisle
16:15—16:30 Closing
Moderated by: Marcie Auger
1730  Union Social Eatery
5042 Satellite Drive
 
Please RSVP with our team at the registrations table
 
    * All times are in EST


March 5th 2025:

8:00—8:30 Registration & Reception
Hilton Garden Inn—Toronto Airport
8:30—10:00 High Risk Pathogens and Transport—Ornge Special Operations Live Demo
Presented by: Patrick Auger & Anne-Marie Piche
Ornge Special Operations Team
10:00—10:15 Break (15 minutes)
10:15—11:15 Paramedic Health 4.0: Advancements in Health and Safety Research
Presented by: Dr. Amin Yazdani & Dr. Marcus Yung
11:15—12:15 Torts and Turbulence: A Paramedic Lawyers Take
Presented by: Chris Robertson
12:15—13:15
12:40 to 13:00
Lunch (1 hour)
Gold Sponsor Presentation  - ABBOTT
13:15—14:15 Violence Against Paramedics: Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing a Complex and Growing Problem.
Presented by: Justin Mausz
14:15—14:30 Break (15 minutes)
14:30—15:30 Digital Facilities
Presented by: Ian Giesbrecht
 
15:30—16:00 Open Discussion & Closing Remarks
Moderated by: Marcie Auger
* All times are in EST 

Thank you to all our conference sponsors that make this event possible!





























Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the conference?

Attendance is open to aeromedical operators, academia, governmental entities.

What presentations are scheduled throughout the two-day event?

There are a number of presentations, workshops and group discussions scheduled to take place throughout the event. Please see the presentation section above, or download the official ACAT shedule (link coming soon).

Who should attend?

Managers, Directors and leaders responsible for safety within an aeromedical operator would benefit from this conference, as well as front-line staff involved or interested in aviation safety, paramedicine safety and patient safety. The ACAT Safety conference is an opportunity to network, learn and share ideas that will improve aviation safety across Canada.

Where will the conference be held?

ACAT will be held in-person and virtually. The registration link will allow you to choose either option. You will receive your virtual attendance information/logon in the days leading up to the conference. The in-person conference venue is Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga1870 Matheson BlvdMississauga, ON L4W 0B3


I have not participated in past conferences, can I attend this year?

All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The goal is to learn from one another; the more participants we have, the greater the learning opportunities.

What is the cost?

There is no cost for participation at the ACAT conference. You are responsible for your own travel and accommodations.

My organization would like to sponsor the conference, is that possible?

We welcome all sponsorship offers and will be happy to publicize your organization as thanks. Please contact aviationsafety@ornge.ca if you would like to become a sponsor.

2023 Presentations

ACAT Safety Conference 2023 on Vimeo

 

2023 Presentations

Keynote Presentation Presented by: Captain Erik Temple

The Expanded In-Flight Environment: Improving Patient Care with Intelligent Connectivity Presented by: Luke Billington

The Dreaded Lawsuit: What Happens when a Paramedicine Incident Leads to a Lawsuit Presented by: Logan Crowell

Safety Culture Presented by: Justin Labelle

Quality and Patient Safety Leadership in Paramedicine: Nurturing an Authentic Culture of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety in Paramedicine Presented by: Ivanette Hargreaves (Stubbert)

Experiential Learning in Virtual Reality Presented by: Rob Theriault

Raising the Bar on Safety Presented by: Heather Parker

Patient Safety Incidents: What Does the Data Say? Presented by: Ben de Mendonca

Improving the Safety of Medication Use: Medication Safety Self-Assessment Presented by: Julie Greenall & James Bowen

Rewiring our Approach to Safety: Measurement and Monitoring of Safety in Canada Presented by: Anne MacLaurin

Bariatric Transport in the Aeromedical Environment Presented by: Patrick Auger

Paramedicine Safety—Trends and Developments Presented by: Marcie Auger & Robbie Lougheed

Fatigue, Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders Presented by: Dr. Jamie K. Devine

Urban Airspace Law: The Future of Canadian Healthcare Delivery Presented by: Katherine Ayre