On Thursday the Rotary Club of St. John’s, presented its inaugural Rotary Firefighter of the Year award in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.On Thursday the Rotary Club of St. John’s, presented its inaugural Rotary Firefighter of the Year award in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.
Robin Barrett and Richard McCrate, were honoured for heroic efforts in rescuing Jenny and William Westcott from their burning apartment at Maple Wood Apartments on Shaw Street on a snowy Wednesday afternoon on February 19, 2014. The pair entered a third-floor fire, battling heavy black smoke and high heat and Barrett could hear voices inside an apartment “crying” for help. They crawled along the hallway approximately 80 feet with zero visibility, extreme temperatures and heavy smoke. They discovered the two residents who had collapsed from smoke inhalation. Barrett took hold of the first victim and dragged him along the hallway on his knees. McCrate took the second victim who was completely incapacitated. Barrett returned to assist McCrate with the second victim. Their action were made with little consideration for their own safety.
St. John's Fire Fighters Association
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1075
