Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services honours exemplary citizens

Aaron Peach, 16, was walking to school on Oct. 30, 2015 when he witnessed something horrible that still sticks with him: aman struck by a car in the intersection of Cambie Street and 41st Avenue.

"I remember just seeing him get hit. He flew quite a distance.It was very graphic and disturbing," said Peach.

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The teen, who attends Vancouver College, jumpedinto action, approaching the downed pedestrian on the street and dialling 911.

"I said, 'We need an ambulance here,' and they said, 'Check up on him, see if anything's wrong. Is he breathing? Is he conscious?'" Peach recounted.

"I just helped him out with those few things and later called my school administration letting them know some kids would be late, obviously because of the accident."

Adrenaline pumping, Peach stayed at the scene until first responders arrived.

'It was a lot to take in'

"It was a lot. It was a lot to take in. I just remember thinking about that man and if I was in that position, how I would want others to treat me and bring light to the situation, the importance of the situation," he said.

Administratorsat Vancouver College not only excused Peach for his tardiness that day, they nominated him for a commendationto Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.On Wednesday, he was able to skip classes a second time to receive the honour.

"For that young gentleman or for anybody to be getting into the middle of the street where you have a lot of traffic, a lot of noise, it's a very hazardous environment anyway.Then, to also have the situation where you have an unresponsive individual, blood is showing you've just got to say, 'wow,'" said Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney.

"We're in good hands when you've got smart, capable individuals that are willing to just in spite of their own safety get in and help somebody else," he added.

Peach was one of 12 individuals who received acknowledgement for their exemplary acts at the second annual Vancouver Fire andRescue Services commendation ceremony. One organization, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) was also honoured as an organization.

'We need these examples'

Mayor Gregor Robertson, as well asseveral citycouncillors and firefighters, were on hand to applaud the honour recipients.

"This is really, I think, a testament to the amazing people we have in our city," said Robertson.

"We're very blessed to have lots of people with courage, lots of people who will put others first in Vancouver. We need these examples on a constant basis. It's a really important reminder of selflessness and of giving to the community and giving to our fellow citizens here in our city."

Othershonoured at the ceremony include:

• Ken Tabata, Tio Ignacio and Andy Mori, who,as security staff at Carnegie Community Centre, resuscitateda person in cardiac arrest.
• Lanzer Permalino and Clayton Crellin, staff at Coal Harbour Community Centre, who performed CPR and used a public access defibrillator to save a person's life.
• Valeria Anderson, a patient at the HeartwoodClinic, who used naloxone and resuscitated a fellow patient.
• Anna Stasic and Brie Leader, staff and volunteer at the Portland Hotel Society, who administered naloxone to overdose patients.
• Fred Nelson, Jeff McCarthy and Russell Koenigbaur, who were patrons at Renfrew Community Centre when a person collapsed. They were able to save the person by performing CPR and using the publicaccess defibrillator.
• VANDU, which was nominated for ongoing community care.