The Northwest region of Saskatchewan was well represented with awards presented Monday by Lt.-Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield.
She presented Royal Canadian Humane Association Bravery Awards to Cst. Daniel Dempster and Cst. Brenda Diachuk, who both received Bronze Medals for their efforts in saving a man at a truck stop restaurant and motel near Maidstone.
On April 21, 2015 at around 2:30 a.m., Maidstone RCMP detachment dispatched Dempster and Diachuk to the scene. The restaurant portion was engulfed in fire, and the blaze was spreading to the north end of the motel. They drove around the building with their lights and sirens on to alert motel occupants of the fire. When no one emerged, they decided to enter the building from the northeast entrance to confirm if any occupants were inside, and found an apartment at the rear of the building. Dempster kicked in the apartment door and the two located a man who was asleep. Dempster advised him of the fire and told him to leave immediately.
The man was distraught and unable to tell them if anyone else was in the motel. The constables began checking the remaining rooms for occupants. But toxic smoke made breathing difficult, and with potential of an explosion from gas, propane and power lines, both constables were forced to leave the motel.
Recognized with a citation was Clark Whitecalf.
On Aug. 31, 2015 Whitecalf, his daughter and her boyfriend were driving past a residence at Sweetgrass First Nation and noticed flames in the house windows. They called 911 and ran to the back door of the residence. By this point, flames were coming out of the windows. When they called out to see if anyone was inside the house, someone was heard coughing. Clark tried to get in through the garage, but could not go any further, as the kitchen was on fire. He then ran to the front door where he crawled into the house He was met by a wall of thick, black smoke and extreme heat, making it impossible to see and difficult to breathe.
When Clark called out, he saw a hand fall down from a couch. He crawled over and found an 18-year-old woman lying on the couch. He grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the floor, but had to go back to the front door to catch some air. He re-entered the house and located the woman by the couch. Clark took hold of her and managed to pull her to the front door and away to safety.
By this point, the house was engulfed in flames. The owners had returned and confirmed there was no one else in the house.
The woman was treated in hospital in North Battleford for severe burns and smoke inhalation and was later sent to hospital in Saskatoon for further treatment. Clark suffered severe smoke inhalation and was treated at the local hospital.
The Royal Canadian Humane Association was established in 1894. They recognize deeds of heroism by Canadians, who, through their alertness, skill and concern, save or attempt to save a life, especially where those actions lie outside the ordinary duties of the person involved.
