by Neil Corbett

Mission Record

Little Macey Finlay-Podner wears the mantle of "hero" as comfortably as a pair of baggy pants.

"I only have these pants and one other pair. We have to go shopping," said the tiny nine-year-old. "They're going to build us a new house."

The rest of her clothes, and everything else she owned, was of course burned in last Monday's house fire – the same one she rescued her three siblings and parents from.

Macey's story went out across the province, and Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton was at her school on Friday, to bring her a commendation from the provincial government.

Earlier, Dalton stood in the provincial legislature and relayed the story of how a house fire was started by an overturned candle, lit for light during the stormy week's power outages; how she got up and carried her two-year-old brother outside; and then went back inside to wake up the rest of her family.

Her Grade 4 teacher Judy McGowan had just wrapped up a unit on fire safety. The students drew a map of their house, noting where smoke detectors were located, planning a route to get outside safely, and a place they should meet in safety once outside. They learned that they should crawl under the smoke, as Macey did that morning.

"I feel really proud of her," smiled McGowan. "For her to put her brother over her shoulder and carry him out, and then close the door so he couldn't go back in, and then go back and rescue her family – it's incredible."

After the early morning fire on Nov. 16, the story swept through Silverdale Elementary that day, and McGowan learned that firemen would be bringing Macey and her brothers Devon and Milan back to the school. Her classmates each made a congratulatory sign, and gave her a big reception when she arrived.

"They were standing out at the road with their posters when the fire trucks came. It was pretty exciting," said McGowan.

Those posters, and newspaper articles from The Record and the Vancouver Sun formed the backdrop for Dalton's presentation.

He brought her a certificate from Solicitor General Kash Heed.

"Faced with a very dangerous situation, you kept your wits about you and helped get your family safely out of your burning home. Your actions were incredibly brave and courageous," Heed's letters says.

"I am very proud of you not only for rescuing your family, but for remembering your Firesmart lessons at a time when it mattered most. In recognition of your actions I am pleased to present you with a certificate of bravery."

McGowan said it's rare for a teacher to see so dramatically what they teach get put to use.

"I actually broke down and cried. It's very tangible – what you're teaching is being applied."

Dalton also brought a DVD recording of his relating the tale in the legislature.

"Would the house join me in applauding this young girl and wishing her family the best as they recover from their difficult situation that could have easily been a total tragedy," Dalton said at the time.

He said the story got applause and a "very positive reaction" from the legislature.

Macey said it was good to get the certificate of bravery.

Everything is fresh in her mind. How she woke to the sound of the mirror cracking on the burning dresser. The glass all over the floor. How her mom had trouble getting into her brother's room to wake him, and now he's not allowed to have his door locked at night anymore.

But one day, many years from now, Macey might need a certificate of bravery to jog her memory, and she can pop in a DVD to hear the story as it was relayed to the B.C. legislature.