On Thursday, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Motorola Inc. presented the 2004 International Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor to six members of the Kansas City (Mo.) Fire Department whose courageous actions -- literally "under fire" -- saved the life of a paramedic shot twice in the chest at an incident last February.

Motorola and the IAFC presented the awards at the opening general session of Fire-Rescue International at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center after showing a dramatic video of the response, showing bullet-ridden fire apparatus at the scene. The six department members — Captain Patrick Martin, Captain Phil Atwood, Firefighter Marvin Donaldson, Fire Apparatus Operator Sean McKarnin, Firefighter David Bradley and Firefighter Stephen Johnson — were selected for their bravery and heroism at the scene of a house explosion and fire in Kansas City. On Feb. 23, the fire department, police department and Metropolitan Ambulance Service Trust were responding to the scene when they encountered gunfire coming from the west side of the street. Shortly after the shooting began, MAST Paramedic Mary Seymour sustained two wounds to the chest and collapsed on the street.

After gathering EMS equipment, the KCFD firefighters crossed nearly 100 feet across open space to reach the victim. During their rush to reach Seymour, they encountered almost constant automatic gunfire. Two police officers returned fire in a successful attempt to distract the shooter. The firefighters controlled Seymour’s bleeding and administered oxygen, and then carried her back across the open area to a waiting ambulance.

On behalf of the entire Kansas City Fire Department, Chief Richard “Smokey” Dyer accepted the award.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the valor award, which is customarily presented to a firefighter for life-saving efforts above and beyond the call of duty. The award is named for Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the first fire chiefs in the United States.