Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 25, 1985
• Invested on: March 21, 1986

Firefighter Gerald McCormick, M.B.
Firefighter Dana Proulx, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

The Cornwall Fire Department had been fighting the apartment building fire for some time on April 24, 1984, when Firefighter Gerald McCormick learned that a couple remained inside. Although the fire was well-advanced, he unhesitatingly entered, exposing himself immediately to intense heat and dense smoke. He was quickly joined by Firefighter Proulx, who acted as back-up as McCormick searched one apartment then another. The heat increased noticeably minute by minute, but the two continued to search until they could bear it no longer. Finding the exit only by following a colleague's voice, they stumbled out, both suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters McCormick and Proulx learned later that the missing couple had escaped unaided, a fact which does not detract from the extraordinary bravery they displayed.