PITT MEADOWS, BC – Two City of Pitt Meadows fire chiefs are being honoured for their dedication and commitment to the safety and protection of the community. At the Council meeting on March 8, 2022 Fire Chief Mike Larsson and Paid-on-Call Assistant Chief Dave Saddler were presented with Outstanding Service Awards in recognition of their lifesaving efforts during a recent motor vehicle fire incident.
“We commend our brave and dedicated fire chiefs for their swift action in responding to this incident and risking their own safety to rescue the injured driver and their dog from the burning vehicle,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “For their unwavering courage, commitment and service to our community, Pitt Meadows is proud and truly grateful.”
On the early morning of February 4, 2022, Pitt Meadows Fire & Rescue Services responded to a particularly hazardous incident that involved a heavily damaged truck that had crashed into a nearby gas station at a high rate of speed. The truck was engulfed in smoke and on fire as was the gas pump and station's canopy.
Fire crews arrived on scene and were able to safely extract the trapped driver and dog mere moments before the fire engulfed the truck. They extinguish the fire and provided medical aid until the ambulance arrived to transport the driver to the hospital. The quick and decisive actions of Chief Larsson and Assistant Chief Saddler were instrumental in saving both the driver’s and the dog’s life.
“Each of these responders has gone above and beyond in their service to our community. We are honored by their selfless dedication to care for others,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “We also thank our emergency response partners including the RCMP and BC Ambulance Service for their support and assistance with this incident.”
Fire Chief Larsson and Assistant Chief Saddler have a long history of serving the community with over 55 years of combined service.
Chief Larsson began his fire career in Pitt Meadows as a paid-on-call volunteer firefighter in 2003, and has since served as a Paid-on-Call Captain, career Fire Safety Technician, and Assistant Chief. He was appointed to the position of Pitt Meadows Fire Chief in March of 2019.
Assistant Chief Dave Saddler joined the Pitt Meadows Fire Department as a volunteer in 1985 and has devoted his life to helping others – responding to emergency calls all hours of the day and night. He was also a 2020 Community Service Award recipient.
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge,
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca