"At 0300 hours on 6 December 1967, a fire alarm was received from the Motor Transport Garage at the Base Fire Hall, Canadian Forces Base (then RCAF Station) Uplands, Ottawa, Ontario. On arrival at the scene, Duty Fire Crew Chief Sergeant L.J. Finnigan observed that an explosion had occurred and that a fire was burning below floor level in the equipment room. With creditable despatch he assumed control and proceeded to direct his crew in fighting the fire and other personnel in removing to safety the vehicles parked in the garage. During this operation, while attempts were being made to extinguish the stubborn fore, a second explosion occurred. The flying debris and flash from the explosion slightly injured four of his crew, demolished the remaining walls of the equipment room and also threw him some undetermined distance. The blows from flying building blocks received by Sergeant Finnigan at this time were severe enough to fracture his safety helmet with a force would undoubtedly have been lethal to an unprotected head. In spite of being shaken up, and while aware of the peculiar and unpredictable nature of a fire which resulted in multiple explosions, he remained at the scene, supervised the removal of injured personnel to hospital, and continued to control the operation. During this entire incident, but most apparently during the latter phases, Sergeant Finnigan displayed attention to duty and high regard for the safety of his personnel while knowingly risking further injury to himself with possible grave consequence."