State Fire Marshal Mike Causey presents a SAVE certificate to Battalion Chief Brandon Ward, as Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Moore looks on. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News

Local firefighters received recognition from a state official on Wednesday for their actions during two house fires in December.

NC Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey visited the North Lenoir Fire and Rescue station on Fred Everett Road, delivering smoke alarms to be distributed to those without a working alarm in their home.

Causey also honored several NLFR members who responded to a set of structure fires that occurred in December of 2019 and pulled unconscious occupants from the blazes. 

Deputy Fire Chief Tyler Moore and Battalion Chief of Operations Brandon Ward both were presented with a SAVE Award, in recognition of action above and beyond to save lives in the face of danger. 

Moore and Ward said there was heavy smoke inside the burning mobile home, but they were able to find the unconscious occupant in a bedroom, and bring him to safety outside the back door. 

“When you know there’s someone inside, the adrenaline kicks in. Your sole task is to get them out, no matter what,” Ward said.

Moore said he feels fortunate to have been in time.

“It was the right place, right time. Five minutes later, it could have been a different outcome,” Moore said. 

Ward said the recognition is welcome, but the credit for the save goes to the entire department.

“It’s a team effort. The whole department deserves to share in this,” Ward said. 

Chief Brian Wade said he is proud to see his members honored, but he agreed that each call was truly a team effort.

“You’ve got to have people doing all the things. If any of the pieces falls through, it would delay the entire process,” Wade said. 

Causey also recognized Assistant Chief Lynn Wiley and Captain Steven Miller for their efforts to rescue the occupant in another late-December house fire. Wiley and Miller pulled the unconscious man from the structure, and resuscitated him in the yard of the home, but unfortunately the man passed away en route to the hospital. 

Causey presented Wiley and Miller with a commemorative coin that is given for honor, courage and valor. 

Causey said the actions of the firefighters were an example of the courage exhibited every day by first responders.

“They never know when they get a call, what they are walking into, and when they leave their home, they don’t know for sure if they are coming back. They are putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Causey said.