Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Captain Kit Little of the District of North Vancouver’s Fire and Rescue Services has today been honoured with a rare medal of bravery for his courageous actions in saving the life of a woman trapped in an apartment fire.
On the morning of July 18, 2016, firefighting crews from both the North Vancouver City and the District of North Vancouver fire departments responded to an engulfed apartment building. Upon arrival, firefighters found residents calling for help on the balconies of the upper floors.
(flickr.com) While standing on the top rung of the ladder, Captain Little reached over the balcony to access the occupant, and then carried her down the ladder where he safely passed her to other firefighters on scene. Captain Little then returned to the balcony to retrieve the occupant’s small dog.
Sadly, there was also a tragic outcome to this fire as a tenant in a separate area of the building perished in the blaze.
The British Columbia Firefighter Medal of Bravery is awarded to firefighters who have performed acts of courage and bravery without concern for their own personal safety. Only two such awards have been handed out in the past 10 years – one in 2011 and one in 2014.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto –
“When life-or-death situations demand selfless and heroic actions, firefighters are often the ones to rise to those challenges to ensure the safest possible outcomes. In rare occasions, firefighters show courage beyond what could reasonably be expected. Captain Little is deserving of this great honour, and it is fitting that he be awarded the B.C. Firefighter Medal of Bravery.”
Fire commissioner for British Columbia, Gordon Anderson –
“Captain Little’s actions were taken at considerable personal risk in the face of severe fire conditions, to ensure the safety of a trapped resident. The award of this medal is a well-deserved recognition of the bravery that he exhibited in undertaking this rescue.”
Mayor of the District of North Vancouver, Richard Walton –
“Captain Little’s efforts at that unfortunate fire exemplify the character, integrity, work ethic and public service focus that every municipality seeks in its employees, and most certainly in its fire and rescue staff. We are grateful for the contribution he made that day in our community, and for the contribution he makes every day that he reports for service as a member of our Fire and Rescue Services team in the District of North Vancouver.”
Learn More:
- For more information on the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s awards and medals, visit: http://ow.ly/OqUZ308mdFE
- British Columbia Firefighter Medal of Bravery nominations must be made in writing to the fire commissioner. The Advisory Committee on Awards and Recognition at the Office of the Fire Commissioner reviews nominations and forwards them to the fire commissioner with its recommendation for consideration.
