Winnipeg firefighter who saved L.A. homes from wildfire awarded King Charles medal By: Tyler Searle Posted: 4:32 PM CDT Thursday, Mar. 13, 2025

A Winnipeg firefighter who was hailed as a hero for battling a wildfire while vacationing in Los Angeles in January has been honoured with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Romeo Petit, a lieutenant with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, was presented with the medal by Premier Wab Kinew in a private ceremony at the legislature in January.

“It was pretty surreal to shake the premier’s hand and get this medal. It was a pretty cool moment, to say the least,” Petit said Thursday.

The medal, which was created to mark the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, is reserved for people who have made a significant contribution to the country or have completed an outstanding achievement abroad.

Petit was on vacation in Kinneloa Mesa, a community in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that overlooks Pasadena. At the time, much of the Los Angeles area was engulfed in massive, uncontrolled wildfires.

Petit sprung to action when flames threatened to consume the home he was staying at with his girlfriend, Winnipeg-born actress Melissa Elias, and California film producer Adam Stone.

They spent more than four hours beating back flames with shovels, digging fire trenches and dousing structures and surrounding areas with little more than garden houses.

At the command of Petit, they moved from home to home, turning on sprinklers and providing updates by phone to homeowners who’d fled to safety. Their efforts likely saved several homes from significant damage.

Shortly after arriving home in Winnipeg, Petit received a surprise phone call from the premier, who commended him for his bravery. Kinew invited Petit to a private meeting at the legislature. On Jan. 28, alongside Elias and NDP MLA David Pankratz, who is also a WFPS firefighter, the premier gave him the medal.

“We are very proud of Brother Romeo’s actions during his vacation in California. It reaffirms our belief that we are on the job 24/7 365.”–T.J. Belluk

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham stopped by Petit’s fire station weeks later to drop off a letter of recognition to thank him for his efforts abroad.

“Your instinctive response in a time of crisis not only reflects your dedication as a firefighter but also brings immense pride to our city. Winnipegers are known for their willingness to help others, and your actions have highlighted these qualities on an international stage,” Gillingham wrote.

The office of the U.S. Consul in Manitoba sent a message of appreciation, Petit said.

United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg Local 867 vice-president-elect T.J. Belluk said Petit’s actions represent the firefighting spirit.

“We are very proud of Brother Romeo’s actions during his vacation in California. It reaffirms our belief that we are on the job 24/7 365, willing to help where we can,” Belluk said in a statement.

Petit joins at least 55 other Manitobans who have earned the medal since it was introduced. He shares the honour with the likes of Gail Asper, who spearheaded the development of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; former lieutenant governor Janice Filmon; and Olympic curling champion Jennifer Jones.

The Province of Manitoba will host a formal ceremony to honour new medal recipients on April 7 and April 9.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca