Several area firefighters were recognized for saving lives in 2018 during the S.C. Firefighters’ Association annual banquet Saturday night in Columbia.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

While responding to emergencies and saving lives is something firefighters across the nation do every day, occasionally situations arise where the amount of danger presented, or the difficult challenges faced, rise to a level where special recognition is deserved.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

From humanitarian missions to rescues, firefighters received the following state awards for their actions:

Medal of Valor – Burton Engineer Austin Causey and Colleton County firefighter Conner Hutto received the state’s Medal of Valor for a June rescue of five people from a building collapse during extreme weather. Both responded as volunteer firefighters for the Hampton fire dept.

Meritorious Action Medal – Burton and MCAS Beaufort firefighters received a Meritorious Action medal for rescuing a trapped driver from a flaming vehicle and treating multiple critically injured occupants from a November motor vehicle collision.

Meritorious Action Medal – Burton firefighters received a Meritorious Action medal for an August rescue of a man trapped beneath his mobile home which collapsed on him after being struck by a vehicle. Firefighters had to act quickly and creatively to rescue the critically injured man.

Meritorious Action Medal – Fripp Island firefighter Brittney Thorson and Lady’s Island Fire Lieutenant Keith Kersey received a Meritorious Action medal for the water rescue from an overturned boat off Harbor Island under difficult conditions.

Citizenship Award – Burton Fire Captain Bobby Davidson received the state’s Citizenship Award for his humanitarian work with his family on the Asaph Project which has reduced the loss of life of children in Kibera, Kenya while increasing educational levels.