Heather Dutchak Death: It is with profound sadness, heartbreak, and a deep sense of loss that we mourn the sudden and unexpected passing of Heather Dutchak. Heather’s death has sent shockwaves through the EMS community, especially among those who had the privilege of working alongside her at Siksika EMS and across the many calls, shifts, and shared moments that defined her commitment to saving lives and serving others.
Heather was more than a paramedic. She was a pillar of strength, a beacon of calm during chaos, and a loyal friend to all who knew her. Her loss leaves a void that words can hardly describe—a hole not only in the emergency services family, but in the lives of countless people she supported, protected, and lifted up during her time on this earth.
For those of us who worked with her, especially those who shared long nights, intense calls, and quiet in-between moments on shift, Heather was a constant—reliable, compassionate, capable, and full of a unique kind of warmth that made even the hardest days a little more manageable.
Heather Dutchak Calgary Alberta Obituary: Dedicated Emergency Medical Technician Has Died
One of my earliest shifts at Siksika EMS was with Heather. I still remember it vividly—not for the call itself, but for the moment she looked at me, smiled, and said, “You look like a CJ. I’m gonna call you CJ.” And just like that, CJ stuck. That was Heather’s way—quick with a nickname, quick with a laugh, and quick to make someone feel like they belonged. It’s such a small moment, but one that captures her spirit so clearly. She made people feel seen.
Heather had a gift for connection. She didn’t just show up for the job; she showed up for the people. She listened. She paid attention. She noticed when someone wasn’t quite themselves, and she didn’t hesitate to check in. Her heart was big, her empathy deep, and her presence reassuring. Whether it was a tough call, a long shift, or a moment of silence between emergencies, she was there—and she made those around her feel supported.
In our profession, we are trained to face the unthinkable—to manage crises, to bring order to disorder, to hold ourselves together in the face of tragedy. But when the tragedy is one of our own, when we lose someone like Heather, we are reminded of just how human we really are. The grief is real. The pain is deep. And the sorrow we carry now is a testament to how much she meant to us.
Heather’s passing is not just a loss for Siksika EMS. It is a loss for every patient she comforted, every life she touched, and every colleague who knew what it was like to have her by their side. The EMS community has lost a true professional—a person who lived her calling with courage, dedication, and heart.
In the hours and days since we received this devastating news, many of us have reached out to one another, sharing memories, photos, stories, and tears. We’ve remembered the sound of her laugh, the way she kept calm in a crisis, and the jokes she would crack to break tension after a tough call. We’ve remembered how fiercely she cared for others, and how she had a way of lifting everyone just by being herself.
And now, as we try to process this loss, we also try to hold onto those memories. They are what we have left. They are what we will carry forward. The shift radios may fall silent for a moment, but her voice still echoes in our hearts.
To Heather’s family: Please know how deeply loved she was by her EMS family. We share in your grief, and we hold you in our thoughts with the utmost compassion. She was not only a part of your life—she was a vital part of ours. The lives she touched, the hearts she healed, the strength she showed—it was felt far and wide. She made a difference, every single day.
To her colleagues and friends: Let’s continue to reach out to one another. Grief is heavy, and we were never meant to carry it alone. In this line of work, we so often put others before ourselves—but in this moment, let us care for each other as Heather would have wanted. Talk. Listen. Be present. And remember: it’s okay to not be okay. You are not alone.
Let us honor Heather’s legacy by continuing the work she loved—serving our communities, supporting each other, and leading with compassion. Let us carry forward her memory not only in words, but in actions. Let’s be a little kinder. Let’s look out for one another a little more closely. And let’s never forget what she brought to our lives: strength, light, laughter, and love.
Though Heather’s time with us has ended far too soon, her impact will never fade. Her legacy lives on in the people she helped, the lives she saved, and the many colleagues who will carry her memory with them each and every day on shift.
Rest easy, Heather Dutchak.
Your watch has ended, but your light continues to shine in all of us.
We’ll carry you with us—always.