Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 18, 1985
• Invested on: September 27, 1985

On the evening of 16 January 1984, Lt. Charles Friars of the Saint John Fire Department in New Brunswick led the successful rescue of two individuals from a burning apartment located on the second floor of a frame house. The fire was gaining momentum but Lt. Friars and another firefighter entered the house and rushed upstairs, looking for the two men. They found one unconscious near the front door of the apartment and the firefighter took him outside. Meanwhile, knowing from experience the dangers of having no back-up or water hose, Lt. Friars continued the search alone and found the other man in the living-room near the spreading flames. He carried him through the thick smoke filling the long hallway leading to the exit, then joined the others in fighting the blaze. Emergency personnel revived the two men. A twenty-two-year-veteran fireman, Lt. Friars displayed professionalism and dedication beyond expectation.