A Martins Ferry native who works as a professional firefighter in Columbus, Ohio, recently received an award for rescuing a man from a burning home. On Jan. 30, Lt. Terry Wildman, of the Columbus Division of Fire, responded to a report of a house fire with a possible victim inside. He and two of his fellow firemen were assigned the task of searching the inside of the structure for any people, while others were trying to extinguish the blaze.
Wildman, 48, was able to find a man still alive inside the home and bring him to safety outside. He was helped by two newcomers to the department, Firefighter James Williamson, 32, and Firefighter Colten Foil, 25.
For their heroism, Wildman, along with Williamson and Foil, received the American Legion Post 532 Firefighter of the Year Award.
Wildman remembers that night being an extra cold one, and he had hoped it also was going to be a quiet one. Right before the call, Wildman had just met newcomers Williamson and Foil.
“I had just shook their hands,” he said.