Two Niles City firefighters credited with rescuing a woman from a burning building received the department’s Silver Life Saving Medal award during a presentation at Monday’s Niles City Council meeting.

Capt. Don Wise and Lt. Scott Rieth responded to a call of a residential fire in the 600 block of North Third Street May 20. Wise was off duty at the time, but still responded.

Upon arrival, firefighters learned a woman and a dog might still be inside the home. Wise and Rieth entered the structure and located the woman in a bedroom on the first floor using the department’s thermal imaging camera.

“She was at the edge of life, unconscious, badly burnt, but still breathing,” said Chief Larry Lamb, of the Niles Fire Department, during Monday’s ceremony.

The woman was unconscious but breathing on the first floor.

The woman was taken from the home and placed in an ambulance where Wise helped administer medical care on the way to the hospital.

Rieth also located a dog, but was unable to revive it.

Lamb praised the actions of the two men.

“Without the actions of Capt. Wise and Lt. Rieth, their training, their bravery, and their skill, this resident would have surely perished,” Lamb said. “Their actions during this response reflect great pride on themselves, our department and the city.”

Following the ceremony, resident Jan Personette said one of the reasons she is proud to live in Niles is because of the fine work that the city’s fire department and other public safety personnel perform on a daily basis.

The firefighters received a strong round of applause from the council and those in attendance. A few of the residents gave the firefighters a standing ovation.

Several council members also commended the firefighters for their work.