Springs firefighters honored for Waldo Canyon Fire work

The Colorado Springs Fire Department honored a year of service with the Waldo Canyon fire fresh on the minds of everyone involved.

Newschannel 13’s Jon Karroll emceed the annual awards ceremony.

The entire “B” shift was recognized for their work during last summer’s deadly fire that also destroyed more than 300 Colorado Springs homes.

“Reach out to everybody who was on the department and say ‘thank you’ just in terms of the hard work that was done and the countless hours put in,” said Eric Ruettinger, a firefighter who helped organized the awards ceremony.

Firefighters were also honored for other heroic acts throughout the year as well as cardiac arrest saves.

“Each one of those are significant,” said Ruettinger. “We were able to make a difference, we were able to save a life.”

Jim Schanel was honored with CSFD’s Firefighter of the Year.

“A” and “C” shift crews will be recognized for their work during the Waldo Canyon Fire at anniversary ceremonies this summer.