A group of Oxford first responders have been recognized with the Maine Life Saving Award for their actions during a house fire in August and a vehicle crash on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s not very often these awards are given. Both of these events deserve recognition of the first responders and their commitment to put others’ lives ahead of their own,” Police Chief Rickie Jack said.

Oxford Fire Rescue Chief Ashley Wax-Armstrong and Jack presented five members of their departments and a lieutenant with the Paris Fire Department with the award Jan. 22 during a Select Board meeting.

In the early morning of Aug. 9, police and fire personnel were called to a Skeetfield Road residence for a fire. Paris Fire Lt. David Blaquiere, Oxford Police Sgt. Nathan Bowie and Officer Kaleb Gower pulled a resident, who was incapacitated by injury, out of the building.

The resident was transported to MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway by MaineHealth Emergency Medical Services and treated for her injuries.

In a Facebook announcement, Oxford Fire-Rescue wrote: “The heroic and swift actions of (Paris) Lt. David Blaquiere, Sgt. Nathan Bowie and Officer Kaleb Gower undoubtedly saved this individual’s life.”

Then, on Dec. 31, a driver was trapped underwater after his vehicle left the road and became submerged upside down in a waterway.

Oxford Police Sgt. Nathan Bowie was the first to arrive on the scene and immediately entered waste-deep water to break the windshield and reach the occupant. Oxford Fire-Rescue Pvt. Abby Wood and Pvt. EMT Corey Oster helped pull the victim to safety and provide medical aid before transporting him to MaineHealth Stephens Hospital.

“The heroic and swift actions (of) Pvt. Abby Wood, Pvt. Corey Oster and Sgt. Nathan Bowie undoubtedly saved this individual’s life,” Oxford Fire-Rescue posted on Facebook.

“With the support of our town’s residents, Oxford’s fire-rescue staffing allows for a quick response time that regularly and positively impacts emergency call outcomes,” Chief Wax-Armstrong told the newspaper. “These two awards highlight our firefighter/EMTs acting quickly and effectively to render aid in situations where seconds matter.”

The Maine Life Saving Medal is awarded to individuals — including first responders and civilians — who take immediate action to save human lives during dangerous, high-risk incidents.