HEROIC live-saving tales were heard at a ceremony to honour Notts firefighters last night.
Central Fire Station's Green Watch were among those praised after they saved a man hanging from a third-floor window in a Sneinton house fire.
He was barely conscious and the crew worked through torrential rain and thick black smoke to free him.
Firefighter Matthew Stafford, of Green Watch, said: "The whole crew is very proud to be recognised with a Chief Fire Officer's Certificate of Recognition. It was a difficult job in very difficult circumstances, in terms of the really bad weather and the nature of the rescue.
"We are all used to working as a team but at times like that, when it all really comes together and you're all supporting each other, it's particularly rewarding. We're just pleased we all got through it unharmed, including the gentleman we rescued."
Brothers Andy and Dave Turley, based at Carlton and Retford stations respectively, were also praised after coming across a car which had collided with the central reservation near Mansfield.
They managed to revive a woman who had fallen unconscious and was not breathing and supported her until she was taken to hospital by air ambulance.
And the ceremony heard how retained firefighter Dennis Rhule gave life support to a casualty after a collision on the A614 as well as stopping an elderly women from re-entering her house as it burned.
Mr Rhule said: "I really wasn't expecting to be recognised for what I did in this way, especially when there are so many others receiving awards tonight who have done exceptional things. To be one of them is a real privilege and an honour.
"I was acting on instinct in order to do what I could to help, and would do exactly the same thing in those circumstances again."
The ceremony, which was held at fire service headquarters in Arnold, also gave special commendations to local residents.
Phillip Taysum, of Worksop, was praised for helping rescue a man from a burning house after seeing smoke when he was walking his dog. And Michael Muzsla, site maintenance engineer from Ollerton, helped firefighters free an employee who had become trapped in a piece of machinery at his workplace.
Misterton Fire Station, near Doncaster, was given the Community Safety Award for turning an old portable building into a physical representation of the home safety check so visitors could identify potential hazards,
David Beardsall, of Retford, was given the Outstanding Public Service Award for serving 43 years as a retained firefighter.
Chief Fire Officer Frank Swann said: "Even though the role of a firefighter often demands our crews to put themselves into extremely challenging situations, it is important that we recognise when certain individuals have gone above and beyond that which is expected of them in order to ensure the safety and well-being of people in their local communities."
