This week, The Other Side of the Call sits down with Don E. Devine, one of Canada’s earliest paramedics and a pioneer of ambulance service in British Columbia. From the early days when funeral homes doubled as ambulances to the 1996 Vernon mass-casualty call that scarred an entire responder community, Don’s career charts both the rise of a profession and the toll it can take on those who serve it.
After decades on the road and years spent burying his own trauma under alcohol, anger, and humour, Don finally faced what the job had done to him. With the help of an RCMP psychologist, EMDR therapy, and the steadfast love of his family, he rebuilt his life and found purpose in advocacy.
In this episode:
- How “toughness” culture in the 70s and 80s left first responders carrying silent wounds.
- The personal cost of surviving Vernon ’96 and what real treatment looks like.
- Why EMDR, moral-injury work, and stepping away from toxic environments changed everything.
- The moment Don realized his greatest act of service might be helping others heal.
A conversation about guilt, grace, and growth—from one of the men who helped build the system.