ABB employee gives back, and is honored in return

By ABB Communications

Michael Simpson, a coordinator of health and safety and facilities with ABB in Brampton, was inducted into the Order by Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley at a June ceremony held at Kingston’s Royal Military College.

The Order is best known through its largest service organisation, St. John Ambulance, dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, part of a world-wide, non-profit first-aid training organization. The mission of St. John Ambulance Canada (SJAC) is to improve the health, safety, and quality of life of Canadians through training and community service. SJAC has over 30,000 members in communities across Canada.

Simpson says his dedication to SJAC grew out of his job. He joined ABB 11 years ago and worked his way up to health and safety coordinator. “ABB essentially led me to St. John because I became a first-aider for ABB and I was very green – I didn’t want to be the person everybody counted on, but with no real experience!”

He learned a lot about first aid since 1998, working more than 7,000 volunteer hours with St. John Ambulance.

In Canada, St. John medical first responders like Simpson are required to take a 52-hour training program and their qualifications are designed to comply with standards set by the Canadian Paramedic Association. There was a time when Simpson wanted to be a professional paramedic so his job in ABB health and safety has suited him well: “I love my job - I’m always happy to come to work here so I count myself lucky.”

Likewise, Simpson has averaged 700 hours a year for St. John Ambulance, treating everything from broken bones to heart attacks at scores of community events in the Toronto area.

At just one of these occasions, an open-air concert in a searing heat wave in 2008, Simpson was too busy to catch headliners like the Rolling Stones. “We treated 590 patients in 12 hours. It was intense, coming one after the other.”

He also coordinates the first-aid activities of more than 25 volunteers on behalf of the Halton Hills Medical First Response Unit, a division of St. John Ambulance in Halton Region.

“I joined St. John to gain the hands-on experience to be a well-trained first-aider,” he says, “but I found a good fit and it became much more for me – and I was able to give back to my community.”

Simpson continues to work as a health and safety and facility coordinator for ABB in Brampton, a base of operations in robotics and power services.

“Mike is a role model for all ABB employees," said his supervisor Nancy Derouin, quality manager for ABB Robotics North America. She praised his work ethic along with, "a willingness to help anyone in need. His dedication to the volunteer community adds immeasurable value to his job as Brampton's Health and Safety Coordinator."

Adam Roscoe, ABB head of Sustainability, which includes health and safety, called Simpson's dedication to volunteering, "an example to all. Michael's proactive approach to health and safety at work is obviously very much welcomed by his colleagues.”

Simpson says his effort wouldn’t be possible without the support of his wife, Athena, and the rest of his family. “St. John digs into family time a lot but they support me in what I do.”

He doesn’t see his volunteer activities tapering off, although he acknowledges that he long ago gained the experience he wanted when ABB hired him.

Again this month he will provide medical care for the annual Relay for Life, an overnight marathon he has staffed every year since 2005.

“An organization like St. John Ambulance is a special one. Once you find out it’s for you, it’s like a bug and you can’t get rid of it. I see myself in different roles over the years,” he says, “but always involved.”

The Order of St. John

To be admitted, the nominee shall have "performed good and devoted service to the Order through sustained voluntary commitment of time, skills and/or resources to St. John Ambulance." As one of the recognized Orders in the Canadian Honours System, the Insignia of the Order may be worn with other decorations, medals and badges that have also been granted or authorized by the sovereign, the Queen of Canada. The Insignia of the Order is a white eight-pointed cross embellished in the four principal angles alternately with a lion passant guardant and a unicorn passant. The four arms of the cross signify the cardinal virtues: prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. The eight points signify the beatitudes: humility, compassion, courtesy, devotion, mercy, purity, peace and endurance.