BRAVERY AWARD FOR PARAMEDIC LEGGETT WHO HELPED RESCUE FAMILY IN FIRE

MUSKOKA — A middle of the night fire rescue in which two Muskoka paramedics and two OPP officers rescued a mom and her two kids from a burning house has led to an Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery for Lucas Leggett this week.

On Oct. 25, 2019, Leggett and his partner, Matt Hickey, found the family — including a nine-month-old baby, 1-year-old sibling —  in the second storey window of their home.

The emergency services workers found the doors and windows locked.

Unable to find a ladder, Const. Sarah van Norman broke a window to get in.

And according to the virtual commendation presentation Thursday Leggett, Hickey and Van Norman made their way upstairs through heavy smoke where they found the family.

Leggett went out a window onto the roof while Van Norman and Hickey reached the family and lowered down the children to Sgt. Matt Hanes on the ground.

Firefighters arrived shortly after and assisted the mother while putting out the fire.

A family pet was also rescued.

Leggett was also recognized for his efforts in November 2019 by his employer, the District of Muskoka.

The Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery was created to honour paramedics who have performed an act of exceptional courage. This year 13 paramedics were recognized for courageous actions. Award recipients were selected from nominations submitted in 2019 and 2020.

Also honoured were Patrick Dixon and Michael Michaelis of the Parry Sound District Emergency Medical Services.

On July 30, 2018, they responded to a report of a man who was intoxicated and wandered away.

The paramedics located the man who was a care patient and who eventually started to cross the cement railing of a bridge.

Dixon and Michaelis talked to the man to ensure his safety until police officers arrived to help.