Fire Medic Alex Hillman was recognized as July’s Firefighter of the Month after he rushed to save a child who was being pulled from shore by a rip current.
According to a news release from Mobile Fire-Rescue, Hillman was vacationing in Destin, Florida, in June, when he was alerted to an 8-year-old being pulled from the shore by a rip current. The child’s father was present, but not physically able to rescue the child.
Hillman rushed into the water and swam about 50-75 yards in double-red flag conditions to the child. He was able to reach the child, and swam the child back towards shore.
Neither the swimmer nor Hillman were injured.
In the news release, Hillman was recognized as Firefighter of the Month for his actions: “Fire Medic Hillman, without duty to act, selflessly performed a successful rescue, preventing what might have surely been a tragedy on the water that day.”