Kawartha Lakes volunteer firefighter Robyn Judd was awarded the 2022 Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery at a special ceremony hosted by Ontario’s lieutenant governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Thursday (June 22).
She was one of 13 firefighters to receive the medal, which was created in 1976 to honour firefighters who have gone above and beyond to protect and serve their community.
Judd, who works as a service manager at Kawartha Garage in Coboconk, volunteers with Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service out of Station 17 in Norland.
On August 31, 2021, Judd and fellow firefighters Stephen Hertel and Roger Gostlin responded to a distress call reporting a 12-year-old girl who had become trapped in an exhaust tunnel of the generator station at Elliot Falls in Norland while swimming. She was unable to get out of the tunnel because of the force of the current.
Judd, a level three water rescue professional, was lowered on a safety rope by her colleagues into the water, in an area marked with ‘No Swimming’ signs due to the treacherous currents. Judd swam into the tunnel and threw a bag to the girl, and both were pulled back to safety.
“This courageous act exemplifies volunteer firefighter Judd’s selflessness and unwavering commitment to saving lives,” reads the citation of Judd’s award.
Rayne and I. Receiving the Ontario medal of fire fighting bravery. ??
Posted by Robyn Judd on Thursday, June 22, 2023
Along with Judd, 11 firefighters from the London Fire Department and one from Blue Mountains Fire Services Department received the award.
The Ontario Medal for Police Bravery was also awarded at the same ceremony to 21 police officers from the Hanover Police Service, Lac Seul Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Timmins Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Windsor Police Service, and York Region Police Service.
“I have spent much time thinking about the constant risks and dangers that first responders face,” Dowdeswell said at the ceremony. “Our province has benefited greatly from their service, and today, we recognize the remarkable bravery of 34 police officers and firefighters from across Ontario. In accepting these medals, I hope that these brave men and women will re-commit themselves to serving the public with integrity, knowing that their accomplishments will help motivate a new generation of Ontarians to join their ranks — looking to follow their example.”
