Mr. Dale Brady

  • Valemount, British Columbia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: June 27, 2001
    • Invested on: June 28, 2002

    Dale Brady, M.B., Valemount, British Columbia
    Master-Corporal Wayde Lee Simpson, M.B., C.D., Brighton, Ontario
    Medal of Bravery

    On July 23, 2000, civilian Dale Brady and MCpl Wayde Simpson rescued a commercial pilot and two passengers whose plane had crashed on a mountainside near Valemount, British Columbia. With daylight fading and a military helicopter unavailable for hours, Mr. Brady agreed to pilot his Bell 206 Jet Ranger to the crash site, with MCpl Simpson and another Search and Rescue technician on board. Once he reached the foggy area, Mr. Brady hovered precariously above the tall dense trees while MCpl Simpson rappelled to the rough terrain below. Informed that the victims were not near the wreck, Mr. Brady flew at tree top altitude until he spotted their flashlight signals at a river, more than one kilometre away. After lowering the other SAR Tech by rope near the victims, Mr. Brady went back for MCpl Simpson who was unable to hike down the steep and slippery terrain. MCpl Simpson grabbed hold of the rope and dangled below the craft despite strong wind gusts which rocked him like a pendulum and risked destabilizing the helicopter. Once at the river, Mr. Brady lowered MCpl Simpson to the ground where he joined his colleague in caring for the severely-injured victims until the next day, when a Labrador helicopter was able to lift them out.

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: November 26, 2009
    • Invested on: October 28, 2011

    Steve Blake, M.B.
    Dale Brady, M.B.*
    Medal of Bravery

    On June 8, 2008, pilot Dale Brady and search and rescue technician Steve Blake rescued two climbers who had been missing for nearly three weeks, on Mount Robson, British Columbia. Despite challenging flying conditions related to the high elevation and winds, Mr. Brady angled the helicopter towards the mountain to allow Mr. Blake to reach the climbers. Severe winds caused the helicopter to drop several feet, making the rescue nearly impossible; however, dangling from his precarious position, Mr. Blake managed to secure the victims into the rescue sling. Mr. Brady then landed the helicopter at a location where the victims could be transferred to an ambulance.

    * This is the second Decoration for Bravery awarded to Mr. Brady.