Lt. Governor Mirasty presented Bravery Awards to local heroes
Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty presented Constables Sawyer Semenoff & Matthew Arcand with RCHA Bravery Awards on October 23, 2023 at Government House in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty presented the Royal Canadian Humane Association Bravery Awards on Friday, October 20th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Government House in Regina.
It is a great honour to receive a RCHA Bravery Award
The Royal Humane Society was incorporated by Royal Charter in London, England in 1774. On August 20, 1894, the Governor General of Canada—the Earl of Aberdeen—was granted permission by Queen Victoria to use the prefix “Royal” in the name of the Royal Canadian Humane Association. The aim of the R.C.H.A. was, and continues to be: “To recognize such deeds of heroism, by Canadians in civilian life, who, through their alertness, skill, and concern, save or attempt to save a life, especially where those actions lie outside the ordinary duties of the person involved.” More information is available on the Royal Canadian Humane Association website
Brief descriptions of the events that led to each Bravery Award, along with the fast thinking and courageous reactions of each of the recipients, which resulted in lives saved, follows.
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Keith Termine (Portal, North Dakota) – Silver Medal
Fire Rescue - Near Canada / US Border - March 26, 2021
On March 26, 2021, at approximately 2 p.m. Ken Murray was welding a fence in his pasture about twenty kilometers southeast of Estevan near the Canadian-American border. When he noticed that fire was breaking out in the grass, he grabbed a pail of water from his truck to try to put it out, but it had already spread to the taller grass. Suddenly Ken realized he was fighting a losing battle, and his truck was surrounded by fire.
Ken Murray and his wife thanked United States Border Patrol Agent Keith Termine for saving Ken’s life in a wild fire near the Canada-US border.
United States Border Patrol Agent Keith Termine from Portal, North Dakota was patrolling near the Short Creek Dam when he saw the smoke. The five-acre field was on fire. The agent saw a truck driving frantically back and forth on the south side of the fire. This was Ken, who was attempting to put out the flames. Keith immediately called his dispatch and requested that the local fire departments in both the U.S. and Canada respond.
Agent Termine saw Ken leave his vehicle as black smoke was engulfing the truck. The Agent was unable to travel directly to Ken due to the terrain and the flames, which were now about four feet high and increasing in size, intensity and speed.
Agent Termine went north to the border, then west through a stubble field before he was able to circle back and travel downwind of the fire where he had last saw Ken. Keith found Ken struggling to run from the flames and smoke that encircled him. Ken had removed his shoes and pants because he was on fire. He was wearing only a shirt and long johns, and was heavily burned on his lower legs, feet and hands.
Ken was in a state of shock. Keith pulled up and told Ken to get in his truck. Ken got in and Keith immediately drove through the flames to safety. The agent learned that, in addition to his severe burns, Ken had a heart condition. Ken’s wife arrived and took her husband to Estevan Hospital.
Keith stayed in the area and assisted with coordinating Canadian fire personnel and North Dakota volunteer firefighters with the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department in extinguishing the grass and vehicle fires. By entering the aggressive fire, Agent Keith Termine’s heroic actions saved Ken Murray from certain death. Agent Termine’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Border Patrol and are a credit to him, to the Grand Forks Sector and the Portal Station.
United States Border Patrol Agent Keith Termine was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery.
Jared Bird (Regina) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Jeff Longman (Punnichy) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Joseph Thomas Twist (Regina) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Suicidal Person on Bridge - Saskatoon - June 26, 2021
LG Mirasty presented Honourary Testimonial Certificates to Jared Bird, Jeff Longman, Joseph Thomas Twist for helping to stop a man from jumping off a bridge in Saskatoon.
On June 26th, 2021, at about 5:30 pm, Jeff Longman, his son Jared Bird, and Joseph Thomas Twist, who are members of the Grey Buffalo Singers, were performing a live online show at the Vimy Memorial Gazebo in Kiwanis Park in Saskatoon when a police officer approached them and explained that there was a person on the bridge who was threatening to jump.
The officer said that the group’s songs seemed to be calming the person and asked if they would play closer to the bridge to help the police talk the person down. The singers followed the police officer to the riverbank and began to sing a prayer song. The person heard the singing and stepped back to safety. The Grey Buffalo Singers played an important part in preventing a suicide.
For their assistance in saving a life, Jared Bird, Jeff Longman, and Joseph Thomas Twist were each awarded the Honorary Testimonial Certificate.
Lieutenant Governor Mirasty poses with the RCMP officers who bravely saved citizens from a burning apartment building in North Battleford.
Cst. Colton Cassaday (North Battleford) – Silver Medal
Trevor Janvier (North Battleford) – Silver Medal
Cpl. William Picard (North Battleford) – Silver Medal
Cst. Mark Brunett (North Battleford) – Bronze Medal
Cst. Kathleen Dawe (North Battleford) – Bronze Medal
Cst. Heather Healey (North Battleford) – Bronze Medal
Cst. Joshua Trefry (North Battleford) – Bronze Medal
Cst. Jason Wiebe (North Battleford) – Bronze Medal
Apartment Fire - North Battleford - January 3, 2022
On January 3rd, 2022, at 1:24 a.m., Battlefords RCMP responded to a large fire at an apartment building in North Battleford. When police members arrived, the building was completely engulfed in smoke. Dozens of civilians were trapped on multiple levels of the apartment complex as the fire escapes were impassible.
Constable Heather Healey was first on scene and began smashing out windows on the lower-level yelling at people to vacate the apartment. When she saw that people were trapped on their second and third floor balconies, she told them to stay there as the fire department was on the way. As additional police officers arrived, Constable Healey continued to help get people down from the second floor and away from the building. When she saw a woman fall from the third floor, Constable Healey sought EMS. Another man had jumped from the second floor and injured his ankle. Cst. Healey brought him away from the fire and smoke to her police car and when EMS was unable to transport him due to not having enough units on scene, she drove the injured man to the hospital.
Officers were advised that there was a pregnant woman trapped on the second floor. When a ladder was secured from the fire department, Corporal (now Sergeant) William Picard climbed the ladder to the second floor and put his own life at risk to help a man and the pregnant woman to safety. Officers were then advised that there was another pregnant woman trapped on the third floor. Corporal Picard extended the ladder to reach the top floor. He heard a call for help, climbed onto the balcony, entered the apartment, and found a man who the Corporal instructed to exit onto the balcony. The man said there was a woman trapped inside one of the rooms. Corporal Picard went to the room, forced the door open, and brought the pregnant woman to safety.
Trevor Janvier was in his second-floor apartment with his family and could not exit. Trevor tied bed sheets together to make a rope to scale down from the outside balcony. After getting his family safely out, he helped fire fighters carry hoses until further fire personnel attended. Trevor also assisted two RCMP members in making a human basket by interlocking arms together and they caught several people who were jumping from the third-floor balcony.
Constable Colton Cassaday used the police fire extinguisher on a first-floor unit to reduce the flames on a second-floor unit above, where members were rescuing civilians. Constable Cassaday also helped the pregnant woman off the ladder from the second floor. In addition, he assisted people out of the building with the human basket technique. While catching several people who were jumping from the third-floor balconies he received a blow to the head and sustained a minor concussion.
Constable Joshua Trefry moved a woman away from the fire after she fell from the third floor while attempting to scale down sheets. The woman was having difficulty breathing with possible neck or spinal injuries. After providing first aid, Constable Trefry sought EMS. He also held the ladder for Corporal Picard. Constable Trefry withstood the heat from the fire to ensure everyone made it down the ladder safely.
Constable Jason Wiebe instructed civilians to climb down from the third story using bed sheets. He was on the ground, pulling sheets away from the fire and having civilians land on him. Constable Wiebe then sought EMS to assist the injured. He also held the ladder for Corporal Picard and endured the heat from the fire to ensure everyone made it down the ladder safely. In addition, Constable Wiebe pulled civilians away from the building who were attempting to collect their belongings.
Constable Mark Brunett also held the ladder for Corporal Picard. He braved the heat from the fire on the first floor to ensure everyone made it down the ladder safely. He also coaxed civilians to jump from their second and third story balconies to escape the fire. And he assisted and sought EMS help for an individual who had injured themselves when they jumped.
Constable Kathleen Dawe assisted in moving a woman away from the fire who had fallen on her back when exiting from the third floor, and the Constable further sought medical attention for the woman. Constable Dawe also encouraged another man on the third floor to jump. In addition, she pulled civilians who were attempting to collect their belongings away from the building.
As a result of the actions of these individuals, all civilians were rescued, and no lives were lost. Constable Colton Cassaday, Trevor Janvier and Sergeant William Picard were each awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery. Constables Mark Brunett, Kathleen Dawe and Heather Haley, Joshua Trefry and Jason Wiebe were each awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Constable Kirandeep Gill (La Loche) – Silver Medal
Constable Christopher Young (La Loche) – Silver Medal
House Fire - La Loche - May 7, 2022
On May 7th, 2022, around 6:00 am, the La Loche RCMP received a call regarding a suicidal woman who had set her house on fire. Constables Kirandeep Gill and Christopher Young arrived to see smoke pouring out of the home and flames coming from the living room. The constables called dispatch to request the local volunteer fire department attend. To ensure that no one was in the residence, the constables went to the front door and were met with thick black smoke and flames. Constable Gill got the fire extinguisher from the police truck, but the smoke was becoming more intense.
Constable Young tried to enter the rear of the building. He indicated there was smoke throughout the house, but the fire appeared to be contained in the living room. He saw a mattress on the floor between the kitchen and the living room and saw a person’s feet underneath the mattress. He lifted the mattress and found the woman. Constable Young began to drag her to the rear entrance and by this time Constable Gill entered the house and assisted Young to pull the woman to safety.
The officers went back inside and searched the house until the fire department arrived. The woman received treatment from EMS. Both RCMP members’ actions were selfless with extreme risk to themselves. Without their quick actions, the outcome would have been fatal. Constables Kirandeep Gill and Christopher Young were each awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery.
Constable Matthew Arcand (Warman) – Bronze Medal
Constable Sawyer Semenoff (Warman) – Bronze Medal
Suicide Rescue - near RM Montrose - July 21, 2022
On July 21st, 2022 at 8:35 p.m., RCMP Constables Matthew Arcand and Sawyer Semenoff of the Warman Detachment were called to a farm in the RM of Montrose. The man’s wife had called 911 and reported that the man was now setting up a ladder on the property. The constables arrived at the farm and found the man hanging from a rope about fourteen feet in the air in the entranceway of a large outbuilding. Constable Arcand climbed the ladder and began to hold the man up while Constable Semenoff went up the other side of the ladder to cut the rope. The weight of the three men strained the unsecured ladder. The man stated that he wanted to die. After the rope was removed from his neck, he was assisted down the ladder and taken to hospital for treatment.
The two constables risked their own safety to save the man’s life. Constables Matthew Arcand and Sawyer Semenoff were each awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Seidon Cozens (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
Suicidal Person on Bridge - Saskatoon - November 1, 2022
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty presented the Bronze Medal of Bravery to Seidon Cozen’s for his courageous actions. Seidon is still just a teenager attending high school in Saskatoon!
On November 1st, 2022, at about 8 p.m., Seidon Cozens was crossing the Idylwyld Bridge in Saskatoon on his way to meet friends. Seidon noticed a man walking towards him, who suddenly hopped over the bridge railing. Seidon rushed to the man, wrapped his arms around him and began speaking calmly to him. Seidon held on with all his might as the man outweighed him by over forty pounds. Seidon was afraid that if the man overpowered him, the man would fall into the river below. A few minutes later, several bystanders helped to secure the man and pull him to safety. One of the bystanders called 911. Saskatoon Police arrived and took custody of the man, taking him to hospital.
Seidon’s quick thinking and courageous actions saved a life and he was awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Aaron Lange (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
Mike Napper (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
House Fire Rescue - Saskatoon - November 17, 2022
On the morning of the November 17th, 2022, at about 11:15 a.m., Mike Napper was driving to work in Saskatoon and when he turned on to Warman Road, he noticed smoke in the distance. As he got closer, he saw it was a house on fire. The house was located on the 1500 block of 7th Avenue North and Mike saw flames coming out of the back of the building. He called 911 and gave details to the operator. He went to the back of the house and by now there was more smoke, and the fire was raging. Lights were on outside and in the basement, but no one was outside. He returned to the front of the house, where Aaron Lange had also come to help. They banged on the front door and windows but got no reply. When they went in the house, they found tenants in the basement, including a man who is blind and hearing impaired. Aaron went upstairs to ensure no one else was in the house. They then helped the tenants outside and by this time neighbours came to help. While the tenants were cared for by the neighbours, Napper and Lange waited for EMS. Saskatoon Police and then the Saskatoon Fire Department arrived. The house could not be saved and was a total loss.
Napper and Lange made immediate decisions that were critical in saving the residents from a potentially fatal outcome. Aaron Lang and Mike Napper were awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Joe Madden (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
House Fire Rescue - Saskatoon - November 28, 2022
Joe Madden, a Sergeant with the Corps of Commissionaires, had just left a 7-11 store in Saskatoon and turned north on Clarence Avenue when he noticed the back of a house on fire. Joe parked his car and called 911. After giving the details to the operator, he ran to the house and pounded on the front door until he awoke the tenants. He told the tenants to get out immediately. Joe knew that the gas meter on the back of the house was fully engulfed in flames so there was no time to lose. Joe asked if there was anyone in the basement as he used to have a friend who lived there. They said yes, so Joe ran to the side door and, with flames about five feet away, he pounded on the door until someone answered. After he got the tenants and their pets out, he mustered them across the street. The Saskatoon Police and Fire Departments arrived, and Joe explained that he had evacuated the house and that the roof had exploded from the fire. Sergeant Joseph Madden was awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Monika Holman (Saskatoon) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Amy Thorp (Saskatoon) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Suicidal Person University Bridge - Saskatoon - July 19, 2023
On Wednesday July 19th, 2023 at approximately 6:00 p.m., Monika Holman was walking across University Bridge in Saskatoon on her way to a Fringe play rehearsal, when she saw a young man climbing over the edge of the railing. Holman immediately stopped and started to talk to him, repeatedly asking him to climb back over the railing to safety.
Another woman, Amy Thorp, who was pushing a baby stroller with her 10-month-old, arrived at the same time. She also spoke to the man, trying to convince him to come back over the railing.
The man did not say much, but he would lean back as if he was getting ready to let go. Holman and Thorp kept urging him not to jump. Thorp was wearing air pods and she subtly called 911 on her cell phone. She did not want to spook the man, so she commented on his clothing, and this was heard by the 911 operator. Thorp kept the man engaged and distracted while giving information to the 911 operator and waiting for the police to show up. Holman kept talking to the man, but despite her and Thorp’s efforts he remained on the other side of the railing. When the police arrived, they lifted the man to safety and transported him to the hospital.
For their presence of mind and assistance in saving a life, Monika Holman and Amy Thorp were each awarded the Honorary Testimonial Certificate.