South Bend Fire Station Two receives hero award for service

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Berean Seventh-Day Adventist Church honored South Bend Fire Department Station Two with a local hero award Saturday, thanking them for their service to the community.

The firefighters at Station Two were among the first to respond to the LaPorte Avenue fire that claimed the lives of six children on Jan. 21.

Saturday's award was given in honor of the stations hard-working crew and their dedication to bettering the surrounding community.

The award ceremony took place inside the station garage, with firefighters noting that it was great to have community members come to them to show their appreciation.

"It's always nice to get the community to come into our home. 99% of the time, it's the other way around, we're usually entering their home and it's not good for a reason; somebody's having a bad day. But in this scenario, we get to welcome them here," said Battalion Chief, Michael Szucs.

The event also gave congregations members a chance to become more educated on the basics of fire safety and what essential needs should be met within a home.

Church leaders and firefighters alike were particularly excited to share safety tips with the children in attendance so that they can stay best aware of their surroundings.