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Teen ‘rock star’ surprised by North Van firefighters

Deep Cove could do with more Aidan Hardings. On July 24 the teenager made a typical Cove summer plan – grab a slice of pizza with his buddies and then “go for a nice big kayak.
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Deep Cove could do with more Aidan Hardings.

On July 24 the teenager made a typical Cove summer plan – grab a slice of pizza with his buddies and then “go for a nice big kayak.”

Harding was off-duty from his summer job as day camp leader at Parkgate Community Centre but still proudly sporting the camp staff T-shirt. 

While wandering in the heart of the Cove on that mid-summer afternoon, Harding smelt trouble. A blaze had just broken out up the road at the Lions Manor seniors’ housing complex.

Without second thought, Harding ran into the smoky haze and chaos.

David Dales, assistant fire chief with the District of North Vancouver, recalls the teen coming up to him and saying he was trained in traffic management.

“So we immediately seconded him,” says Dales.

Harding was handed a traffic safety vest and quickly tasked with directing vehicles out of the Cove. That civilian assistance helped free up firefighters who were conducting life-saving rescues.

“It was an all-hands-on-deck kind of call,” explains Dales, who lives in the area and responded while off-duty.

Harding stood on the roadway directing traffic in the thick smoke and blazing heat before helping evacuate the seniors, many of whom had physical challenges, to a staging area.

“I was doing everything I could to keep them calm and collected, and just reassuring them that it was all going to be alright,” explains Harding.

After assisting at the scene of the fire for hours, Harding knew there was more volunteering to do. He continued to help the seniors and stayed with them as they moved from Parkgate Community Centre to the emergency shelter set up at Mickey McDougall rec centre.

“He worked probably a 10-hour day,” figures Dales.

Having Harding step up during the Deep Cove fire that displaced 66 residents was huge, as far as DNV Fire and Rescue Services is concerned.

“It was massive, it was awesome. It was a huge help,” says Dales. “He’s a rock star.”

Dales was one of the emergency personnel on the scene that day who put forward Harding’s name for a special honour.

Aug. 1 was Superhero Day at Ron Andrews rec centre and there just so happened to be one in the building.

Harding had just finished bringing his day campers for a swim when a team of district firefighters rolled up at Ron Andrews in a fire truck to surprise the big-hearted teen.

“We formally thanked him,” says Dales.

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A North Vancouver district firefighter congratulates Aidan Harding on Aug. 1 when he received a surprise honour at Ron Andrews rec centre. photo supplied North Vancouver Recreation and Culture

Along with a DNV Fire and Rescue coffee mug, ball cap and T-shirt, Harding received a letter of commendation from District of North Vancouver Fire Chief Brian Hutchinson.

In his letter of praise, Hutchinson said Harding went above and beyond in his efforts during that challenging incident, calling the teen “an outstanding example of a compassionate and caring citizen.”

“So often we forget that Canadians have such compassion as a nation,” wrote Hutchinson. “We help others because it must be done and because it is the right thing to do.”

In his 18-year career, Dales said he has only seen this award bestowed a handful of times.

“He’s just a young, good 16-year-old,” says Dales.

Harding, who is heading into his senior year this September at Seycove Secondary, says helping out was just the right thing to do. The teen adds he was taken aback by his award.

“It meant a lot,” says Harding. “It was awesome. Then again, it’s not necessary. Sure, I did a good thing to help out but it happens every day – just in different parts of the world.”