Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2004-02-19
Invested on: 2004-06-25
Stephan Kesting, M.B.
Mandip Kooner, M.B.
Gary Nylund, M.B.
Mark Pfeifer, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On July 31, 2001, Stephan Kesting, Mandip Kooner, Gary Nylund and Mark Pfeifer rescued two fellow firefighters trapped in one of the largest building fires ever to occur in the municipality of Delta, British Columbia. With two of their colleagues unaccounted for, the foursome from the Rapid Intervention Team went inside the smoke-filled structure despite warnings that the burning warehouse was in danger of collapsing. In spite of depleting air supplies, they dug by hand through heavy piles of paper and rubble until they found the two victims, buried under the debris. The team managed to free the injured firefighters, and carried them outside to safety, moments before the unstable building collapsed.