Central Huron’s Fire Chief Dave Renner was presented with the Commissioner’s Citation for Bravery Award at the OPP Western Region Awards Ceremony in London on September 11.
This important award recognizes people who have risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others.
A member of the Huron County OPP Detachment nominated Renner for the award for his exemplary conduct on March 18, 2017.
That day, Huron County OPP and area fire departments responded to a structure fire in Clinton just after 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 8 (Ontario St.) and Highway 4 (Victoria St.). Central Huron, Seaforth, and Goderich fire services were on scene battling the blaze and were able to stop it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
It was Chief Renner who was first on scene and recognized the fire was spreading quickly and knew there would be numerous occupants in the adjacent building unaware of the situation. He ushered several people from the building before the fire spread and fully engulfed the occupants.
The Commissioner’s Citation for Bravery Award was awarded to Renner for his highly commendable and courageous lifesaving actions that day.
Renner says he first found out about the award when he received a letter in January of this year notifying him that he had been nominated and approved.
When asked how it felt to receive such an honour, Renner says he is proud but humbly insists he was just doing his job.
“I keep saying that it was ‘all in a day’s work’ — that is what firefighters do. But my wife does not agree. [I am] proud that I could help the people escape from the oncoming fire.”
The award was presented to Renner, who has served 26 years with the Central Huron Fire Department, by OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes at the annual OPP Western Region Awards Ceremony at the Four Points by Sheraton in London.
Renner’s wife, Judy, was there in support of her husband, but otherwise, “I kept it pretty quiet,” says Renner.
“I would like to thank all the people that have congratulated me already,” he told the News Record. “I’m proud to serve the Municipalities of Central Huron and Bluewater and to lead the fantastic men and women of both Central Huron and Bluewater Fire Departments.”
Link to original article in Clinton News Record: Central Huron Fire Chief honoured with Bravery Award