VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
B.C. first responders recognized at Surrey gala
The Dwivedi Foundation recognized 13 first responders at its seventh annual Surrey gala and marked the Vancouver Police Department’s 140th anniversary.
The Dwivedi Foundation held its annual First Responders Gala and Awards Night at Reflections Banquet Hall in Surrey on Sept. 12, recognizing police officers, firefighters, paramedics and health-care professionals from across B.C.
The seventh annual event drew about 450 first responders and guests. Tickets were free, and elected officials from different parties attended. Guests and presenters included Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal, MP Randeep Sarai, Senator Baltej Dhillon and MLA Amna Shah. MP Tamara Jansen and MLAs Garry Begg and Bryan Tepper also attended.
Thirteen people were recognized in categories including leadership, service, legacy, community policing and mental-health leadership. The foundation also marked the 140th anniversary of the Vancouver Police Department. Ashwant Dwivedi, the foundation’s vice-president of communications, said the awards recognize bravery, compassion, leadership and service, as well as the contributions recipients have made in their communities.
Shanjeelin Dwivedi, a foundation vice-president, said the organization also recognizes the families, friends and colleagues supporting first responders. She said the foundation aims to build broad, non-partisan support for first responders across the province.
The 2026 recipients were Sgt. Tyler Ennis of Surrey Police Service; Sgt. Sukh Basi; Sgt. Ryan Gray, Cst. Ashley Bains, Alicia Pastro and Sgt. Paul Walker of Abbotsford Police; Dr. Hulbert Paul; Dr. Rhonda Michelle Janzen, a B.C. general surgeon; S/Sgt. Terry Parmar of Vancouver Police Department; B.C. paramedic Nikolaos Pardalis; Saverio Lattanzio of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service; firefighter Colby Dodd; and Cst. Steven Bentley of Delta Police.
The foundation supports people affected by PTSD, honours fallen officers and their families, and provides scholarships to children of first responders entering the field. It first held an event honouring front-line workers in 2018. More information is available at dwivedifoundation.ca.