Idaho Firefighters recieve Medal of Honor

An Idaho Falls firefighter was one of two firemen in the state to receive the Idaho Medal of Honor Friday.

Sean Allen, of the Idaho Falls Fire Department, was part of a team to help rescue a man from a car submerged in a local canal on September 25, 2015.

After trying several times to break into the car, rescuers finally gained access through a back door. Allen, disregarding his own safety, climbed into the submerged car, cut the victim free, pulled him from the car, reported the Attorney General office.

Three Bonneville County Sheriff deputies were also awarded the Medal of Honor earlier this year.

Lt. John Ward, of the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, also received the Medal of Honor award Friday.

Ward helped pull a woman in a wheelchair to safety from a fire at his neighbor’s house.

The Attorney General said Ward risked his life by kneeling under the layers of black smoke in the home and acted quickly to save two pets just inside the door. He then saw the woman lying about 12-feet away.

This happened on April 15, 2015 when he was off-duty.

The Idaho Medal of Honor was created by the Legislature in 2004.