They don’t like to be called heros.

They drop their gaze to the ground, let uncertainty enter their voice and pass credit elsewhere when the term is brought up. ‘We were just doing our jobs’ most of them say. ‘What else were we going to do?’

Yet when Pyramid Riding Stables turned into a disaster Saturday, each one stood with their face in the light, staring down a menacing fire, refusing to let tragedy carry the day. Courage, tenacity and expert execution saved ten lives.

Under the tireless command of Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem, order was imposed upon pandemonium. The images of Jasper’s heros crystalized.

It was the volunteer firefighter racing steadfast into midnight hellfire in search of one more casualty to be pulled from burning rubble before battling a burning inferno until the break of dawn.

It was the paramedic bandaging, splinting and treating the wounded with lightening speed and precision amidst a backdrop of pure chaos, before transporting them to expert doctors and nurses.

It was the police officer and park warden searching the darkness for survivors, moving horses to safety and ensuring danger did not spread. 

It was victim services volunteers and MPL staff finding family, answers and comfort for 10 people who had every reason to let despair consume them. 

It was the neighbourhood of the considerate, sending food, water and supplies to the exhausted emergency staff in the wee hours of the morning, dropping off water, coffee, pizza to fuel the effort.

And finally, it was a lone man in a state of shock, running barefoot towards the explosion, following pleas for help from the heart of the inferno. 

Justin Byrne discovering the strength and presence of mind to pull seven people to safety, direct emergency responders to two others trapped in the debris before quietly slipping out of town to continue his family vacation. 

They don’t like to be called heros, but the evidence justifies the moniker.

There are other heros as the community is still helping. MPL General Manager Bernhard Schneider has nothing but praise for the emergency workers and is collecting donations to help those in need. Anyone wishing to help can drop items off at Community Outreach Services or make a donation at the TD bank to the Pyramid Riding Stables Staff fund.

No lives were lost in the biggest explosion in Jasper history. Many are calling this a miracle, but we call it the product of heroism. 

To those who battled, Jasper thanks you.