A crew of four firefighters who saved a life during a 2024 downtown fire were among those honoured at the Crime Stoppers 'Heroes of Service' award ceremony, held Wednesday evening in the Sault.
When a 911 call for a residential fire on Dennis Street came in on the night of Sept. 26, all available firetrucks in the city were attending other calls, except for one four-person crew at the nearby Tancred Street fire station.
Deputy fire chief Mark Morgenstern was on hand Wednesday to present the award to the crew, which included Capt. Peter Fewchuck, driver Karl Christenson and firefighters Nolan Makkonen and Brandon Hayes.
Morgenstern said a four-person crew is the absolute minimum number of firefighters that can attempt to rescue an individual inside a burning building, with two firefighters making the entry and the other two acting as the emergency backup in case the original two become trapped or experience other danger.
With only four firefighters on scene, Fewchuck had to make the call, whether to go ahead with the rescue or wait for backup.
The platoon chief on duty that night instructed Fewchuck to lead the response.
"We were told by the neighbours that there was somebody in there and we relied on our training to make the rescue, get the person out. We started CPR and we also received assistance from EMS and city police with that as well afterwards. And fortunately, the person lived and made a really good recovery," Fewchuck said.
Morgenstern said Fewchuck made a very critical decision that evening, putting firefighters at risk in order to save a life.
"With Captain Fewchuk and our engineer of the the truck standing by outside, our two firefighters made entry into heavy smoke and fire and they managed to extract an individual from this home and perform CPR on him until EMS arrived," Morgenstern said.
"People would call that bravery in our line of work. That's just what we do," he said.
Fewchuck said he and his crew accepted the award on behalf of all of the firefighters in the department.
Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District presents the Heroes of Service awards to celebrate the emergency services and law enforcement workers who go above and beyond to keep the community safe, strong and connected.
The event acts as a fundraiser for Crime Stoppers and doubles as a networking event as well.
A 'Hero of Service' was recognized from each of the following agencies: Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Anishinabek Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Services, Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services, Donald Doucet Youth Centre and Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre.
"While some heroes wear capes, others tend to wear badges, boots, or reflective vests," said retired OPP officer Monique Baker, who emceed the event.
Coincidentally, the May 14 date for the event fell on the 19th anniversary of the death of Const. Donald Doucet, who was killed in a collision while on duty.
"His memory lives on through his family, friends, and his Sault Ste. Marie Police family," Baker said.
Kendra Addison, coordinator for the local Crime Stoppers chapter, said each agency was asked to nominate a hero or heroes from among its own ranks.
Addison said the event also allows for the emergency services and law enforcement workers to interact in a social setting, as opposed to a high-stress situation.
"It allows them to communicate outside of any crisis situation or other work they'd be doing," she said.
The event is one of three major fundraisers that Crime Stoppers of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District hosts every year, along with the Trip of the Month draw and Night Light Golf Tournament that is held in August at the Silvercreek Golf Course.
The following 'Heroes of Service' recipients were awarded on Wednesday at the Grand Gardens North:
- Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre - Wendy Brisson
- Anishinabek Police Service - Alan Nolan
- Donald Doucet Youth Centre - Adam Hayward
- Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services - Peter Fewchuck, Karl Christenson, Nolan Makkonen and Brandon Hayes
- Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Services - Gregor Thimmig
- Sault Ste. Marie Police Service - Wayne Taylor
- Ontario Provincial Police - Keith Nicolle