Mr. Speaker, to rush into a burning building once and pull somebody out is quite an accomplishment. To do it twice is an amazing feat. To actually do it three times is unheard of. I want to use my Member’s statement today to honour a man who — three times — has gone into buildings that were burning to pull people out.
Vince Sharpe of Inuvik, 60 years old, former firefighter, back in November went into a trailer that was burning and pulled one person out. Once he got him out, he was told there was another one in there. He went back in on his stomach in a smoke-filled building and pulled a second person out.
He’s done it a couple of times before, Mr. Speaker. In 1978 he took a lady in a wheelchair out of a burning log home. In 1974 he rescued a baby from a burning building.
I think it’s important, Mr. Speaker, that as an Assembly we recognize the accomplishments that some of these people put forward. A lot of it just flies under the radar.
I wanted to use my Member’s statement today to bring tribute to Mr. Sharpe and also plan on nominating Vince Sharpe for a couple of awards, because I think acts like this unselfish bravery — going into burning buildings to rescue people — shouldn’t go unrecognized. And I will do my part.
So I would like to ask the Assembly to join me today in commending Vince Sharpe on the rescues that he has done. A few people owe their lives to him, and he should be recognized for that. Thank you.
Applause.
