Congratulations to our 2025 Flood Legacy Bursary Winners!

Kayley Ernst

A firefighter with Golden Fire Rescue serving the town of Golden situated between the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. The department works closely with Golden Search and Rescue (SAR) on in-town river rescues, managing downstream containment, and assisting with shore extractions. Each winter, the Kicking Horse River forms an ice dam that poses a significant threat to the Highway 95 bridge—the vital connection to Golden. While closures have been narrowly avoided so far, the risk remains high. In the spring, both rivers swell with floodwaters, carrying debris and creating hazardous shorelines that many people and pets underestimate. The department’s coverage extends along the Trans-Canada Highway, which follows the Kicking Horse River from Field, often responding to rescues along the riverbank or directly in the water. These operations become particularly complex and dangerous during flood conditions, requiring precise coordination and expertise.

Lyle Janis

In 2013, while working in the Bow Valley—one of the areas most severely impacted by the floods—he witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the disaster. In Exshaw, a bridge was washed out, and many residents suffered significant property loss. Employed at one of the local plants near Exshaw, operations were halted to allow employees to volunteer in assisting residents with evacuation efforts. Once the immediate danger subsided, the focus shifted to the extensive cleanup required to help the community recover.

Beth Cornwall

Responded to flood incidents in the Wellesley/Wilmot area on the Nith river watershed. Mostly caused by ice jams; impacting farm and road safety as well as MVC extractions in flood conditions.