Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 20, 1972
• Invested on: February 16, 1976

Gaudias Brousseau, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Gaudias Brousseau, 55, a Quebec City fireman who was off duty at the time, entered a burning building three times to help the occupants to get safely out. Mr. Brousseau was returning home the morning of March 7, 1967, having worked the overnight shift at Fire Station Number 6. At approximately 8:15 a.m., he noticed smoke coming from the three-story building at the corner of Lacroix and St. Vallier streets. He ran to turn on the alarm, then returned to the building, where he learned there were people inside. Gaudias Brousseau, along with one of the residents, climbed to the second floor to arouse the people in the two apartments. They were not successful the first time but both returned to the smoke-filled corridor and managed to break open the door of the second floor apartment occupied by a family. After his partner left the building, Mr. Brousseau remained to make sure the people got out, wrapping the baby in a blanket and carrying it to safety himself. Out on the street, Mr. Brousseau decided to go into the burning building a third time and helped by another man they managed to break down the door that had resisted previous attempts but were driven back by flames that gushed out of the open doorway.