Chilliwack firefighters honoured for exceptional bravery during apartment fire

CHILLIWACK — Three Chilliwack firefighters were honoured at Tuesday’s Chilliwack City Council meeting for demonstrating exceptional bravery and heroism during an apartment fire that happened nearly four years ago.

According to a statement from the City of Chilliwack, Chilliwack City Council acknowledged Acting Captain Blake Gooch, Acting Captain Cory Schaeffer and firefighter Adam Janzen, for receiving one of Canada’s highest honours, the prestigious Medal of Bravery for their actions during an apartment fire.

Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl attended Tuesday’s event at City Hall. In a social media post, Strahl thanked Gooch, Schaeffer and Janzen for their courageous service to Chilliwack.

In October 2024, these three firefighters were awarded the Medal of Bravery in Ottawa, a prestigious recognition that recognizes acts of notable courage in circumstances of extreme peril.

“It is notable that out of a pool of approximately 4,200 recipients, less than 10 per cent of the Medal of Bravery are usually given to firefighters, as their acts of courage are seen as an inherent risk associated with their profession. In this case, we are told that the committee felt compelled to recognize the actions of these firefighters as something truly extraordinary, that transcended the usual expectations of their duty,” said Fire Chief Andy Brown.

On July 29, 2021, Chilliwack Fire Department crews were dispatched to an apartment complex fire in the 9200 block of Hazel Street. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire and black smoke billowing through the roof of the apartment at the rear of the complex. Multiple residents were trapped on their balconies, facing dire circumstances. Firefighters immediately pushed their training and skills to the limit, finding creative solutions to deploy ladders in the face of intense heat and smoke. The firefighters made critical split-second decisions, in a moment of critical need, that prioritized the lives of others. Thanks to their actions, and the work of their team, nine people survived the fire.

“These firefighters went above and beyond to save lives and have shown what it really means to serve as firefighters with the Chilliwack Fire Department,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “Thank you, Acting Captain Gooch, Acting Captain Schaeffer, and Firefighter Janzen, for your extraordinary acts of bravery that saved lives and for your continued service to the community.”