EXETER TWP., Pa. – It was a story of hometown heroes Monday night in Exeter Township as several volunteer and career firefighters were honored for their response to what could have been a deadly fire.
As flames tore through a manufactured home on Claire Drive in April, a team of firefighters rushed toward danger with one goal: Save a life.
Two months later, those acts of courage were recognized. One by one, the firefighters from the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department — the brave crew that pulled a trapped resident from his burning home — received awards and endless gratitude.
The wife of the man whose life was saved watched as the video of the rescue played on the screen, recalling the moment life felt so fragile.
“It was really tear-jerking,” said Karen Steffey, the man’s spouse.
Steffey said her husband, disabled and trapped inside the burning home, feared he would die.
“Brian said, ‘You’re not dying in this fire,” Steffey said.
Monday night, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Rhein was awarded the highest honor, the Medal of Valor. Not only did he save a life; he put his own on the line by handing his oxygen mask to the victim.
“When you’re trained to be a firefighter, you’re trained to be in those situations, and sometimes your instincts kick in,” said Fire Chief Chris Jordan.
Steffey said her husband is recovering and the near-death experience has blossomed his appreciation for each new day.
“Make sure you’re always doing the best that you can do,” Steffey said, “and live each day, do what you want to do and make sure that you try to live your best life because you never know what tomorrow brings.”
The Heroic Firefighter Award/Life Saving Award was presented to Exeter Firefighters Codey Eshenaur, John Frantz, Colby Johnson, Mike Kulp, Eric Wachter; Exeter Fire Chief Chris Jordan; Exeter Deputy Fire Chief Justin Shaffer; and Monarch Fire Co. Firefighter John Babiec.
State Sen. Judy Schwenk and Rep. Mark Gillen presented awards of recognition from the state legislature.