Canadian Man Among 20 Honoured For Bravery By Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
Close X
Thursday, December 26, 2024
ADVT 
International

Canadian Man Among 20 Honoured For Bravery By Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

The Canadian Press, 19 Dec, 2017 12:28 PM
    PITTSBURGH — A Canadian man who is among 20 people recognized for bravery by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission said he is overwhelmed and honoured for an instinctive act he would do again "in a heartbeat."
     
    James Giles of Terrace, B.C., was singled out by the American-based fund for his bravery in October 2016 when he ran into a burning neighbour's home more than once to save a young boy and girl.
     
    A Carnegie Fund release says Giles covered his face with his shirt and entered the house where visibility was limited by dense smoke.
     
    He found the boy on a stairway to the basement, just metres from the front door and rushed him to safety.
     
    The release says he went back into the home and found the girl on the stairs heading to the upper floor and carried her to safety.
     
    All three had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
     
    Giles said he learned of the honour last week but was unsure about what happens next.
     
    "I know I am going to get some sort of letter from the Carnegie Fund, and I think there is also a medal that will be sent, potentially in a few months, because it takes time to make them, they said."
     
    Giles had previous experience in emergency response, but the 40-year-old was acting as a Good Samaritan when he rushed to help after spotting flames shooting from a neighbouring home in Terrace, about 150 kilometres east of Prince Rupert.
     
    He said his neighbours recently returned to their home after it was rebuilt. He laughs when asked if he is now their favourite neighbour.
     
    "I don't know. I try to be everybody's favourite neighbour," he said.
     
    Giles successfully applied to join the fire department in Terrace after the rescue and is now one of its volunteer members.
     
    He said he was impressed by the response of firefighters to the fire in 2016 and was moved to apply when the department launched a recruitment drive.
     
    Giles said he continues to train and improve, but running into burning buildings is not his favourite part.
     
    "I really like to interact and help the people because after you are done a medical call or a fire call, whatever it might be, you always feel really good that you tried to make a difference in someone's life, and I think that is the big thing for me."
     
    The Hero Fund commission was founded and endowed by the late U.S. steel magnate and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. It has awarded roughly US$39 million to about 10,000 heroes or their families since 1904.
     
    Seven of the honorees on the latest list died while trying to save others.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    21-Year-Old Sikh Man SANDEEP SINGH Shot Dead In US

    21-Year-Old Sikh Man SANDEEP SINGH Shot Dead In US
    Sandeep after handing over his 200 dollars and iPhone 7 to robbers immediately ran towards his car. The robbers then fired two bullets on him suspecting that Singh went to take his revolver from the car

    21-Year-Old Sikh Man SANDEEP SINGH Shot Dead In US

    PREET DIDBAL Becomes 1st Sikh Woman Mayor Of USA City

    PREET DIDBAL Becomes 1st Sikh Woman Mayor Of USA City
    Dibal was appointed by the California city council and will be sworn in on December 5.

    PREET DIDBAL Becomes 1st Sikh Woman Mayor Of USA City

    Sikh Taxi Driver SATBIR ARORA 'Saves Girl From Paedophile' Who Tried To Abduct Her

    Sikh Taxi Driver SATBIR ARORA 'Saves Girl From Paedophile' Who Tried To Abduct Her
    A Sikh taxi driver has been hailed as a hero for saving a 13-year-old school girl from a planned abduction by a paedophile armed with knives, tape and sleeping pills, a media report said.

    Sikh Taxi Driver SATBIR ARORA 'Saves Girl From Paedophile' Who Tried To Abduct Her

    Six killed in Sri Lanka rain

    Six killed in Sri Lanka rain
    The centre said since the water level in some of the major rivers, including Nilwala, Gin and Kalu, was rising due to the heavy rain people have been urged to move to higher ground.

    Six killed in Sri Lanka rain

    Trump administration halts school lunch salt reduction

    Trump administration halts school lunch salt reduction
      The Obama administration had set targets that envisioned school reducing the amount of sodium in school meals each year.

    Trump administration halts school lunch salt reduction

    Pope demands world help resolve Rohingya crisis

    Pope demands world help resolve Rohingya crisis
    Pope Francis also said it was "imperative" for world governments to immediately help the Bangladeshi government provide for the refugees.

    Pope demands world help resolve Rohingya crisis