Lieutenant Michel Thibeault, M.B.
Constable Yvon Tourigny, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Responding to a call for fire trucks in the early hours of 15 October 1983, Lt. (then Sgt.) Michel Thibeault of the Trois-Rivières Police and Fire Service arrived on the scene of a house fire and quickly learned that one person was left inside. The owners had tried to get in but had been driven back by a wall of suffocating smoke. Fully aware of the risk, but unwilling to wait for a respirator, the Lieutenant crawled inside. After several minutes he heard sighing but could not locate the source. Forced back for fresh air, he was joined by Cst. Yvon Tourigny, a part-time member on trainee status. Together, with a spotlight, they went inside, finding an unconscious woman in the living-room. As one pushed furniture out of the way, the other dragged her to safety.