LOCK HAVEN - In the early morning hours of Aug. 20 an appliance fire nearly cost the lives of three individuals. However, they were saved by capable members of the Lock Haven Fire Department.

These seven brave individuals, each serving in various roles in the department, were honored at Monday night's city council meeting.

Chief Norm Wolfrom and Fire Administrator Robert Neff awarded each person with a Distinguished Service Citation during the meeting.

"The Distinguished Service Citation is awarded to the fire fighter who performs life saving intervention under adverse and hazardous conditions," Wolfrom said.

Two crews were honored Monday, with Wolfrom providing an account as to why these individuals deserved the citation:

"On Aug. 20 at 2 o'clock in the morning, the Lock Haven Fire Department was dispatched to 720 East Bald Eagle Street in the city for a reported appliance fire. City crews soon arrived at the scene to find black smoke pushing from the second division balcony. With this visual confirmation, the incident was much more than a simple appliance fire. The alarm was upgraded to a working structure fire."

Wolfrom said crews quickly went about to control the fire and search for anyone that might be trapped in the building.

"Lieutenant William Bailey and his crew, consisting of Firefighter Matthew Croak, Firefighter Bryan Strouse and Firefighter Hunter Stover were directed to the third division to begin searching for victims. This placed Lt. Bailey and his crew into a very hazardous position as they would be operating above the fire without protection of a hose line," Wolfrom said.

While conducting their assignment in high heat and zero visibility, Bailey and his crew found a disoriented man.

"The search crew quickly removed the victim from the building and transported him to EMS for treatment," Wolfrom said.

While Bailey's crew were at work, another crew - consisting of Captain Jake Neff, Auxiliary Driver/Operator Jerry Ward and Firefighter/EMT Matthew Hahn - were offering support with exterior functions.

While performing their duties, the crew discovered a woman and infant on an exterior balcony above the fire on the third division balcony, Wolfrom said.

"The victims were in immediate danger from fire and products of combustion. This crew, lead by Capt. Neff, quickly deployed a ground ladder and removed the victims from the hazardous conditions before turning them over to EMS for treatment," he concluded.

Wolfrom and Fire Admin. Neff commended these men for their service to the community.

"The training does pay off," Wolfrom said.

"These guys did something that night - a bad night that was potentially going to be a disastrous night and prevented that from happening," Neff said. "They deserve all the credit they are getting for their abilities and the work done that evening."

The Distinguished Service Citations were not the only honors the department members received.

Mayor Joel Long and members of council presented each person with a Medal of Distinguished Service on behalf of the residents of Lock Haven.

"Gentlemen, as the mayor of the city of Lock Haven, I'm honored to acknowledge the selfless service of all our firefighters - both paid and volunteer. From time to time extraordinary measures are taken by a few to save the lives of others," Long said. "On the recommendation of Chiefs Norm Wolfrom and Tyler Wooding and Fire Administrator Chief Robert Neff it is a special honor to recognize Captain Jake Neff, Lieutenant William Bailey, Auxiliary Driver Jerry Ward, Firefighter Matthew Croak, Firefighter Matthew Hahn and Firefighter Hunter Stover."

Each member of council offered their own congratulations and the room erupted into applause on more than one occasion for these brave men who put their lives on the line for the safety of others.