Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 25, 2010
• Invested on: May 06, 2011

Clermont Bélanger, M.B.
Jean-Louis Clavet, M.B.
Serge Fournier, M.B.
Robert Francoeur, M.B.
Yvan Pruneau, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On October 3, 2008, Clermont Bélanger, Jean-Louis Clavet, Serge Fournier, Robert Francoeur and Yvan Pruneau rescued a man who was trapped under a collapsed house, in Pointe-à-la-Frégate, Quebec. Mr. Bélanger and his brother, along with Mr. Francoeur, had lifted a house to pour concrete in order to build a basement. At one point, one end of the house slid to the ground, trapping Mr. Bélanger's brother beneath debris and a heavy metal beam. Mr. Bélanger used a mechanical shovel to lift the other end of the house to ensure that it did not fall on them and then ran to help the victim. Although injured, Mr. Francoeur quickly set up several wooden towers around the victim to protect him until they could extract him from this dangerous area. Messrs. Clavet, Fournier and Pruneau, who were the first responders, helped Messrs. Bélanger and Francoeur dig out debris from around the victim. They had to work quickly but carefully as the towers were groaning under the weight of the house and dirt was falling in on them. They slid a backboard under the victim and brought him to an awaiting ambulance. Although the victim suffered damages to his spine, he survived thanks to the brave men who risked their lives to come to his aid.