Firefighters, first responders, and a King County Metro bus driver were among those honored at the annual Seattle Fire awards luncheon on Wednesday.
Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins awarded the men and women of the department for their bravery in the line of duty, and their bravery while off duty as well.
“It’s so important to recognize your people for the great work that they do each and every day serving the community,” Scoggins said. “Many times, the community members don’t get to see it, hear about, and really understand what it is.”
Chief Scoggins also took a moment to honor civilians who heroically saved lives, including a Metro bus driver who was shot during a rampage in North Seattle. Eric Stark was shot while driving Route 75 in Seattle's Lake City neighborhood in March. He managed to drive his passengers to safety and away from the gunman.
Scoggins called Stark a "community hero."
"We went in there and did our best to save lives. But there was an individual who made a significant impact who's here with us today," Scoggins said. "I would like Metro bus driver Eric Stark to please stand up and be acknowledged."
Stark was also honored by King County Sheriff's Department with the Sheriff's Medal of Heroism.
According to the department, dispatchers took 150,000 emergency calls last year.