WIIKWEMKOONG—Two Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) officers have been presented a Chief of Police Citation for Lifesaving for their actions in saving a family from a fire last July.
“If not for these officers being out on community safety patrol early on the morning of July 13, and Provincial Constable Gabriel DiSalvo observing the back of the house on fire and Sergeant Darrell Mandamin taking action, it would have been much worse,” stated Ron Gignac, chief of police of WTPS. Constable DiSalvo and Sergeant Darrell Mandamin were presented with their lifesaving citations in January.
“This is the first ever WTPS Chief of Police Lifesaving Citation awards we have presented,” said Chief of Police Gignac. He pointed out the two officers received lifesaving citation scrolls and commendation scrolls, and a page badge which they can wear under their uniform that depicts life saving efforts.
In the July 24, 2024 edition of The Expositor, it was reported in part the two WTPS officers were being praised for their actions by the fire chief of the Wiikwemkoong Volunteer Fire Department for their courageous actions in getting four residents and a pet safely out of their home, that was on fire.
In the early morning hours of July 13, 2024, the two officers were on patrol in the main village area of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. At approximately 3 am, officers observed a fire at the rear of a residence situated on Willow Street in the main village area of Wiikwemkoong. Officers immediately attended the residence and made attempts to wake the tenants at the residence.
The officers immediately contacted the Wiikwemkoong Fire Department and utilized force to gain entry into the residence. There were four tenants inside and all were escorted out to safety. The fire department attended and put out the blaze.
Fire Chief Bernie Brant told The Expositor, “We were notified of the fire at 3:08 am. And our responders assembled in an orderly fashion and put the fire out. The residence sustained substantial damage but thankfully there were no injuries.”
“What I explained is that they (WTPS officers) were patrolling the community area and saw the flames behind the back of the residence extending over the roof,” said Fire Chief Brant. “The officers immediately tried knocking on the door but when there was no answer, they forcibly gained entry into the home and were able to safely escort the residents outside of the burning residence.”
Fire Chief Brant said the firefighters were on the scene of the fire until about 5 am, but the fire had been doused by about 3:45 am. He said the cause of the fire was accidental.
The Ted and Roxanne Recollet family were very grateful for the efforts of the WTPS and the Wikwemikong Volunteer Fire Department to rescue their family, including two teenage children and the family dog. Ms. Recollet told The Expositor, “It happened so early in the morning. I did wake up to get a drink of water at almost the same time as the police officers arrived, and I had looked out the window on the back deck and everything seemed to be okay. There were no flames.”
After she had gone back to bed Ms. Recollet said, “I heard someone banging on the front door and then I heard the breaking of a window to get in and then they alerted us that the house was on fire, and everyone needed to get out.”
“I don’t even remember everything that was taking place, it was chaos. We were all out of the house, but we couldn’t find our dog who was in the house and that really bothered us,” continued Ms. Recollet. “Then one of the firemen, Chase Assinewai, brought our dog to my husband, thankfully.”
“I had recognized WTPS officer (Constable Gabriel) DiSalvo who was telling us to get out of the house,” said Ms. Recollet. “It was three in the morning, and at this time I didn’t know there was a fire, but when we were leaving the house, I could see some the flames. I don’t even remember if the house was smoky. We definitely need to thank the two officers Gabriel and Darrell, and the fire department.”
In a subsequent email to The Expositor Ms. Recollet wrote in part, “Heartfelt chi-miigwech to WTPS, especially to the officers who responded quickly to get us out.”
“These officers went above and beyond the call of duty,” stated Chief of Police Gignac. “We are very proud and thankful to both of them.”