Today Toronto’s Rescue and Merit Awards Honour Civilians and Firefighters

Toronto's Rescue and Merit Awards Honour Civilians and Firefighters
Toronto's Rescue and Merit Awards Honour Civilians and Firefighters

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Media Advisory

March 29, 2011

Toronto Fire Services to honour civilians and firefighters

The City of Toronto’s Fire Services division will hold its annual Rescue and Merit Awards event tomorrow to recognize civilians and firefighters who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Date: Wednesday, March 30
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Toronto Fire/Emergency Medical Services Training Centre, 895 Eastern Ave.

The presentations will be made by Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport), representing Mayor Rob Ford, and by Fire Chief William Stewart.

Among the recipients are a 10-year-old girl who alerted her parents in the middle of the night to a fire next door; a brother and sister – the former a Toronto firefighter and the latter a Toronto EMS paramedic – who separately attended in response to a call for assistance and together helped with the home birth of a baby; and an off-duty Mississauga firefighter and civilian who rescued an elderly woman from her burning apartment.

Firefighters involved in emergency responses to fires at the 200 Wellesley St. E. highrise apartment building and the 335 Yonge St. heritage building will receive recognition for their efforts that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.