Firefighters honored for service to the community
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The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS – Six exemplary Idaho Falls Fire Department firefighters were recognized last week for their efforts to provide professional life-saving services to the community.
Firefighter/Driver Adrian Russell received the American Legion Post 56 “Firefighter of the Year” award. Russell has been with IFFD for over 20 years, spending over a decade as a frontline paramedic before promoting to driver. Russell is often behind the wheel of Ladder 1, which operates out of Station 1 in downtown Idaho Falls.
“Adrian approaches his responsibilities with exceptional diligence and a constant desire to improve,” the nomination from his peers reads. “On the fire scene, he is always the first to act and the last to leave, ensuring tasks are completed with precision and care. His exemplary service, mentorship, and unwavering dedication embody our department’s core values and inspire all who work alongside him.”
Russell has spent years serving out of Station 1 in downtown Idaho Falls, which has long been one of the busiest in the department. Despite having the seniority to transfer to less demanding stations, Adrian chooses to remain in one of the busiest houses, demonstrating his dedication to service and leadership.
Additionally, a crew of five firefighters also received the IFFD “Life Saving Award” for an incident in January where a man endured a cardiac arrest at a local gym. The responding engine and ambulance crew consisting of Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Taggart, Firefighter/EMT Anthony Lemons, Captain Cody Anderson, Driver Trevor Morgan and Probationary Firefighter/EMT Ty Earl responded swiftly to the report of the man who collapsed.
Crews arrived to find an adult male in cardiac arrest, with gym staff providing quality CPR and delivering two shocks prior to their arrival. Our crews took over the resuscitation and delivered another shock within one minute of patient contact. Before arriving at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, the man’s heart began beating on its own. The man ultimately survived and was discharged from the hospital.
“Our Idaho Falls Firefighters are consistently committed to our mission of providing ‘Professional Life Saving Services’ to the residents of Idaho Falls and the surrounding communities we serve,” said Idaho Falls Fire Chief Duane Nelson. “Every day, our firefighters/EMS personnel respond to difficult scenes, performing at the highest level to do much more than put out fires. It’s always an honor to present these awards to our firefighters who consistently demonstrate leadership, selflessness and teamwork.”
IFFD responds to fires and other all-hazard calls for the City of Idaho Falls and much of Bonneville County, serving a population of approximately 117,000 and 290 square miles. Our EMS Division responds to a larger area that includes the City of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and portions of Jefferson and Bingham Counties, serving a population of approximately 155,000 and 3,500 square miles.
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