Tyler Hanson received a hero's welcome at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
That's because the Rutherford firefighter is a hero in the eyes of the city, his firefighting peers and, above all, the Passaic family he made sure got out of a house they didn't even know was on fire.
The city honored Hanson, 25, with a number of proclamations, one from the city and another from the state of New Jersey for his actions that day.
Both thanked the firefighter for going above and beyond the call of duty. Hanson, while working as a PSE&G meter reader, saw smoke protruding from under the Union Avenue home's roof and took quick action.
"It would have been so easy to call 911 and continue on to your job," City Councilman Terrance Love told Hanson. "Because of your bravery, the family was able to get out."