Salem firefighters (left to right) Adam Bandy, Tyler Purcell, Richard Follett and Tom Ewen along with Salem Mayor Leonard Ferguson listen as Fire Chief Roger Mann describes how the four saved the life of Anthony Webster in an October fire. The firefighters were honored with Certificates of Recognition.

Four Salem firemen have been honored with Certificates of Recognition for their efforts to save the life of Anthony Webster in a house fire last month. 

Adam Bandy, Tyler Purcell, Richard Follett and Tom Ewen were lauded before the Salem City Council last night.  Mayor Leonard Ferguson read from the plaques."For the courageous response of a life-threatening incident on October 19, 2009, wherein you without concern for your personal safety assisted in the rescue of a person trapping inside a structure fire at 701 Indiana Avenue," he says.

Carol Davis hugs firefighter Richard Follet in appreciation for his work in saving her grandson Anthony Webster following the awards ceremony.

While none of the four fire fighters would discuss details of the rescue, Fire Chief Roger Mann described the actions the four took after entering the burning home and discovering Webster unconscious in the bathroom. "When a person is unconscious, the body acts totally different," he says. "It took the four of them through different techniques to be able to remove him."

Webster's grandmother Carol Davis says those at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis said it was a 'small miracle' that Webster survived the smoke inhalation.  She notes Webster's lungs initially were bypassed to give them a rest.   Davis says it wasn't until this week that Webster's condition began to improve rapidly. "Even in the last week he was in a coma-like state," she says. "Now he's eating and we're looking for a place close to Salem for him to come home."

Davis has now been told that Webster will recover and be alright.  She hugged the firemen after the ceremony.  Another family member said Webster wanted to shake the hands of each fireman to thank them.