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The 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron crew involved in the dramatic rescue of a crane operator above a huge, raging fire in downtown Kingston, Ont., on Dec. 17, was presented with the key to the City of Kingston by Mayor Mark Gerretsen in a ceremony on Feb. 4.
Of those honoured that evening for their efforts in keeping the public safe and battling the fire, the search and rescue (SAR) crew from 424 “Tiger” Squadron were the first recipients of the newly-designed keys to the City of Kingston, which are made entirely of local glass.
“We are all familiar with the details of the brave helicopter rescue by this 424 Squadron crew,” said Mayor Gerretsen. “We watched it unfold on social media and we watched it again on regional and national television. The crew members of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton’s 424 ‘Tiger’ Transport and Rescue Squadron came to the rescue of the crane operator. It was a brave and courageous rescue and the City of Kingston community is grateful for your efforts.”
The inscription on the key reads: “The keys to the City of Kingston are presented to the crew members of the 8 Wing/CFB Trenton 424 ‘Tiger’ Transport and Rescue Squadron in appreciation of your courageous and heroic actions during the construction site fire in Kingston on Dec. 17, 2013.”
At a reception earlier in the evening, Mayor Gerretsen publically acknowledged the work of the many people, including the SAR crew members, involved in keeping people safe during the fire in Kingston’s downtown core.
“Tonight we thank the countless community members who worked long hours in the cold to keep the fire under control, who lead fellow workers and residents to safety, who descended from a helicopter to make a courageous rescue, who worked behind the scenes supporting those displaced, who kept roads clear to allow emergency vehicles access, who kept the public informed, who worked to restore power, who donated meals to our first responders, and who kept everyone safe manning the evacuation zone limits,” said Mayor Gerretsen.
Crew members:
- Captain David Agnew, aircraft commander, from White Rock, B.C.
- Captain Jean-Benoit Girard-Beauseigle, first officer, from Chicoutimi, Que.
- Corporal Iain Cleaton, flight engineer, from Winnipeg, Man.
- Sergeant Cory Cisyk, SAR technician and SAR team leader, from Regina, Sask.
- Master Corporal Matthew Davidson, SAR technician, from Comox, B.C.
