HASTINGS, Neb. – Firefighters are usually humble people.

Many take this line of work just wanting to help people, and aren’t quick to accept public recognition.

But, an award was well deserved for four Hastings Fire and Rescue firefighters who combined their training to help save the lives of two people in a burning house on Jan. 16.

"It was kind of a shock, said HFR Firefighter and Paramedic Jonas Marshall. "We weren't expecting it, but once we found them, we knew what we had to do."

Chance Bronson, Jonas Marshall, Colby Jensen, and Tom Treffer were presented 'Lifesaving Awards' from Mayor Jay Beckby and Fire Chief Troy Vorderstrasse at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Marshall and Treffer were one part of the two teams entering the house that morning to search for anyone still in the home.

Marshall and his partner made the shocking discovery first that there were still occupants in the home.

"My partner and I, Chance Bronson, we entered in with the hose line, went into the corner where we knew that the fire was coming out of the roof," said Marshall. "Then in the process while we were heading that way, we opened the two bedroom doors on our way and that's when we found them. 

Contrary to TV shows and movies showing firefighters rescuing people from burning houses all the time, that January morning was a first for Treffer in more than a decade with HFR.

"I've been in the fire service for 24 years total," said Treffer. "This is my first rescue where took somebody out of a burning house, and they survived."

The victims were likely unconscious due to carbon monoxide poisoning with no working detectors in the house during the fire, but have made a full recovery, and one of the victim’s was at Monday’s ceremony to reunite with the fire crews.

"We are receiving an award today, nobody here is expecting that award, but it is nice to see that our hard work and training doesn't go unnoticed." said Treffer.

"In the end, we were able to help two people successfully out of a house fire and they lived to tell the story, and that's just a great feeling that we'll remember for a long time." said Marshall.