Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Gary Thompson, formally commended and presented Certificates of Bravery on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire to two women for their rescue of a 65-year-old woman from a house fire in Annahilt.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) nominated Paramedic, Tara Wallace and Amanda White, a member of the public, for formal recognition by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire for their act of bravery.

officers and member of public awarded for braveryThe commendations were made following a fire at a mid-terrace house on 27 January 2017. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a call from a concerned family unable to make contact with a relative who had a diabetic condition. Paramedic Tara Wallace was dispatched to the house and on arrival when she noticed smoke coming from the property and the fire-alarm sounding, she immediately called 999 for NIFRS. Spotting a woman lying on the living room sofa and realising the seriousness of the situation, Tara, along with passer-by Amanda White, smashed a window to enter the house and carried the woman out to safety.

Working with Firefighters, Tara treated the woman for smoke inhalation and she was taken to hospital by Ambulance whilst crews from Lisburn and Ballynahinch Fire Stations extinguished an accidental cooker fire in the kitchen.

Speaking at the presentation, Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Gary Thompson, said:
“I am delighted to formally commend Tara and Amanda today for their brave and swift actions and to present them with Certificates of Bravery. Both Tara and Amanda displayed remarkable heroism in challenging circumstances. Tara went over and above the call of duty on this occasion, and is an asset to the 999 emergency family here in Northern Ireland. The heroic efforts from both women in raising the alarm and rescuing the woman undoubtedly saved her life.”