Diamond Valley firefighters were recognized this week for helping a fellow first responder during a serious assault last summer.
Turner Valley RCMP S/Sgt. Don Racette presented special coins to the firefighters during an emergency services barbecue in Diamond Valley on June 17.
The coins were presented to Fire Chief TJ Moore, A/Lieut. Nick Warkman and firefighter Marshall Unger (retired) who responded to a routine call for a single-vehicle accident in Diamond Valley last July.
The driver of the crashed vehicle was found to be impaired by alcohol and brutally attacked an RCMP officer who was the first person to arrive at the accident, Moore said.
Firefighters arrived as the assault was taking place and “tackled the individual off the officer and held him until police backup could arrive,” Moore said.
The RCMP officer suffered a head injury in the attack and was nearly unconscious after taking repeated blows from the attacker's fists, Moore said.
“It would have been much worse if we hadn't been able to intervene,” he said.
As a token of appreciation, the firefighters were given Turner Valley RCMP Challenge Coins.
The coins represent a particular unit or organization and can be exchanged between agencies.
They are a tradition in emergency services and the military, and getting one from another organization is a privilege, Moore said.
“These coins are usually highly coveted,” Moore said. “Normally you just have your own organization’s coin, so to receive one from another place is quite an honour.”
First responders back each other up regardless of what service they are part of, Moore said.
“It's not very often that we have to physically intervene in an assault," the fire chief said, "but in this case, it was the right thing to do.”
The barbecue was hosted by Diamond Valley’s public safety department. During the event with over 130 guests, new fire department recruits were promoted and retirements from the department were celebrated.
