A Trail resident has been presented with a Medal of Bravery by the Governor General for his efforts to save a man from a burning vehicle more than six years ago.
Brendan Prough received the award at Rideau Hall from Mary Simon last week.
Prough, an off-duty volunteer firefighter, came across the scene on Nov. 26, 2019 in Yahk. Despite intense heat, he smashed the vehicle’s windows, removed the driver, dragged him to safety, and administered CPR. However, the man died before emergency services arrived.
Prough said he learned about two years ago that he would receive the award. He was nominated by the victim’s wife, who lives in Creston, but whom he only met for the first time in Ottawa during the ceremony.
Prough was one of 31 people from across the country, and one of eight from BC, who received commendations for bravery in a variety of incidents between 2019 and 2022.
“It’s pretty emotional,” he said. “It’s very humbling to be around a group of people like that.”
Prough was part of the Warfield fire department for 17 years. He was driving home from the East Kootenay that day when he saw the car on fire. He said he didn’t hesitate.
“I just kind of acted. I didn’t really think about what I was doing. I just knew someone was in trouble and I had to do what I had to do.
“Anyone that’s a first responder or a nurse or a doctor, it’s kind of in your nature, like you’ve chosen to give yourself to your community to help and when someone’s in need, you act.”
Prough said he isn’t someone who seeks the spotlight and never thought he needed any special recognition for what he did that day.
