Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 20, 2013
• Invested on: December 05, 2013

Denise Marie Collins, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On January 19, 2009, Denise Collins evacuated nine people from a burning retirement residence, in Orillia, Ontario. Ms. Collins was the only attendant on duty when the smoke detectors and fire doors were activated. With the phone lines down, she alerted the residents by yelling and knocking on their doors. She managed to get nine residents to safety before running to a neighbour's house for help. She then went back to the residence and tried repeatedly to get inside, but was pushed back by the intense heat and smoke. The fire department arrived and rescued the remaining victims while Ms. Collins cared for them outside. Sadly, two tenants did not survive.