Four Delta firefighters receive prestigious provincial award

by Maureen Gulyas: Delta Optimist 12/11/03

Four Delta firefighters have received the prestigious Medal of Bravery from the province for saving colleagues trapped in one of the largest fires ever in the municipality.

Very few firefighters receive these medals. In fact, only two other firefighters, including another from Delta, Mike Cornell, have been awarded the medal since its inception in 1988.

"Until this year, there had been no further applications for the medal that had met the high qualifications required for acceptance," explained Marisa Adair, communications director for the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services.

Delta fire chief Gord Freeborn is understandably proud of his quartet of firefighters: Stephen Kesting, Mandip Kooner, Gary Nylund and Mark Pfeifer.

"They don't give out this award for mistakes," Freeborn said.

On July 31, 2001 at a fire at a large paper products warehouse on Annacis Island, the four were part of a rapid response team that saved fellow firefighters.

Despite low air supply and the potential for a building collapse, they re-entered and remained in the burning building to search for and finally rescue colleagues trapped underneath a mountain of cardboard boxes.

Decision on the awards is made by the British Columbia Fire Service.

"The medals are awarded to members of the fire service for bravery in hazardous circumstances," explained Marc Black of the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services. "The medal expresses gratitude to firefighters who have risked personal safety to protect life or property."