Dentist, Emergency Medical Services worker, and now, Dr. Dave Skuba can add EMS Exemplary Services Medal recipient to his résumé.
“I'm honoured. When I'm there (working with Bonnyville EMS) I just try to do what needs to be done. I didn't think I was going out of my way,” said Skuba on receiving the medal. “I'm honoured and surprised.”
Originally from Thorhild, Skuba moved to town in 1982 and started work at the Bonnyville Dental Clinic, after graduating from dentistry at the University of Alberta. A year later, he joined what was then known as the Bonnyville Municipal Ambulance (BMA).
For the past 33 years, Skuba has been doing his part to ensure the community has adequate EMS available. To recognize his long-standing commitment, lieutenant-governor Lois Mitchell presented Skuba with the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Services Medal at a ceremony in Red Deer this fall.
The medal was created in 1994 to celebrate professionals in the provision of pre-hospital services to the public, who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner. Recipients must have completed 20 years of exemplary service, including at least 10 years performing duties involving potential risks.
“Dave has been a dedicated member of the EMS service in Bonnyville for 33 years and is part of the reason ambulance service has always been maintained to the highest standards in Bonnyville,” said Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Chief Brian McEvoy, who nominated Skuba for the medal. “Dave's service is always exemplary. He provides this service willingly in addition to maintaining his dental practice and other community commitments.”
When Skuba first moved to town, the ambulance service was volunteer-based and run much like the fire department is now. He joined the BMA as a way of getting more involved with his new community after the ambulance manager, who was also a neighbour, told him they were looking for volunteers.
“I was relatively new to town and wanted to be part of the community. The other option was the fire department and I thought I would fit in better with the ambulance service. I started as an emergency vehicle operator – basically the driver. After that, I took my EMT through a distance learning course with SAIT (the Southern Alberta Institute of Technolgy),” recalled Skuba.
Over his years with the local EMS, it evolved from being a volunteer dependant group to now having full-time employees. While his main career stayed in dentistry, Skuba elected to continue his service by becoming a casual worker.
McEvoy made a point of noting in his submission that Skuba is always willing to “rearrange his personal and professional life to cover shifts.”
If he wasn't busy enough in Bonnyville, the local dentist also extends a helping hand beyond the border. Through a group called Kindness in Action Skuba has gone on three missions to Guatemala and Peru to provide dental care to those who otherwise wouldn't receive it.
“Basically, you donate a week of your time to do dental work. It's all free for the people, we pay our own way, and Kindness in Action has the portable equipment and stuff we need… It was really interesting to see how much need was in other countries.”
While joking that maybe the medal was a hint it's time for him to move on, Skuba expressed that he plans on continuing his work with the local EMS for as long as possible. Admitting he's a bit of an “adrenaline junkie,” what's really kept him in it for over three decades is the people.
“Not only the employees but the people we help. I feel that it helps me keep my skills up with what I do during the day as well, dealing with people and medical concerns.”
He added that being able to work with his son, who was an EMT with Bonnyville ambulance until recently, was also a bonus.
“EMS in Bonnyville has always been very team-approached, they provide a good service, and I'm proud to be part of that.”
