On December 30, 2008, a party of nine were skating west on Aylesford Lake, Nova Scotia where the ice was determined to be between five and six inches thick. While skating back on the east side of the lake the party encountered thin ice. One individual, separated from the party after his skate went through the ice. Shortly after, he fell completely through the ice and was submerged up to his neck.

Mr. Baird went a substantial distance out onto the thin ice in a deep water area, approximately 500 feet from shore. Mr. Baird laid on the thin ice and called out to the trapped individual. After approximately 10 minutes, Mr. Baird was able to pull the individual out of the ice and the two crawled across the thin ice to safety where EHS was called.

Mr. Baird was raised in Comox, British Columbia and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces. Mr Baird is currently serving as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Maritime Warfare Centre and is married with two adult children.