Valor Awards presented to 2 Idaho Falls firefighters – Local News 8

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls Fireplace Division Captain Aaron Nelson and Firefighter Nicholas Magliocco had been introduced with the Valor Award for saving an aged disabled feminine who was trapped in a home hearth final June.

Fireplace Chief Duane Nelson introduced the award, together with three different service awards, at hearth station 1 headquarters Thursday afternoon. 

On the night of June 10, 2021, IFFD responded to a home hearth on Greentree Lane. The emergency communication officer (dispatcher) suggested firefighters that an aged disabled feminine was trapped inside the house. 

A smoke alarm reportedly alerted one of many occupants to the smoke. When he went downstairs to analyze, he found flames in a basement bed room. He tried to place the flames out, however the hearth had unfold too shortly. Two occupants inside the house tried to get the aged feminine out however had been pressured to go away the house because of the heavy smoke and difficulties respiration. 

When the engine 4 crew arrived on scene they reported a working construction hearth. Captain Aaron Nelson made affirmation from the household on scene that the feminine was nonetheless inside the house. Nelson made a rapid tactical determination for a rescue and assigned Magliocco to make entry into the house. 

Guided by data obtained from the household in regards to the final recognized location of the sufferer, Nelson and Magliocco made entry into the house from the entrance door. With low visibility and excessive warmth circumstances, the pair positioned themselves between the fireplace and the sufferer. The aged feminine was shortly situated nonetheless sitting in her electrical wheelchair. 

Nelson and Magliocco eliminated the sufferer from her wheelchair and carried her to the awaiting ambulance 5 crew. When she grew to become extra responsive, she instructed ambulance personnel that she was, “fortunate to be alive.”

After the essential rescue transpired, Nelson and Magliocco transitioned again into hearth assault, working with different personnel to extinguish the fireplace.  

Nelson and Magliocco demonstrated the division’s philosophy of superior selfless service, putting neighborhood members first to make sure their security and safety. 

“Each of those gents positioned the protection and well-being of the sufferer over their very own security after they entered the burning construction. For this motion and their expertise, I firmly consider each of them deserve the popularity and quotation. With out their fast motion, the end result would have been a lot worse,” IFFD Fireplace Chief Duane Nelson stated. 

The Valor Award is distinguished as the very best award introduced by the division and is awarded to solely energetic members for acts each on and off-duty. This honor is awarded any time a member of IFFD distinguishes themselves in such an act of non-public bravery and recognized danger to assist one other individual (sworn or civilian) underneath hazardous circumstances during which the individual is positioned in a life-threatening place to avoid wasting the lifetime of one other. 

Captain Aaron Nelson has labored for the division since 2008. Magliocco just lately began his profession at IFFD in 2021. 

Three different members of the division acquired service awards throughout the ceremony, together with Administrative Assistant Julie Lacey for her 35 years of service, Fireplace Marshal Scott Grimmett for 25 years of service, and Driver Adrian Russell for 20 years of service to IFFD and the Metropolis of Idaho Falls.