ROGERS (KFSM) -- A Rogers firefighter -- and hero -- was presented with the Valor Award after his quick thinking saved several citizens and fellow firefighters while on a call earlier this year.
Al Jones was recognized at a city council meeting on Tuesday (June 28).
The award came as a surprise to Jones, who received it while surrounded by family.
"I'm not the kind for recognition you know so yes it is great to be recognized but I guess I am also humble enough to just be glad to do what I'm doing," said Al Jones.
Jones and his crew were returning from a call on March 19 when the woman driving their ambulance had a seizure, which left her unconscious. Her foot was on the accelerator, and the ambulance was speeding toward a crowded intersection at 24th and Walnut.
Jones quickly reached over the driver to grab the wheel and he steered the ambulance into an abandoned gas station. The ambulance struck a pole and came to a stop, keeping other people or vehicles out of harm's way.
"As you know walnut is fairly busy there so it could've been a lot worse if someone who went that route we could've hit or killed someone. I think we diverted quite a bit of damage there," he said.
Several of Jones' coworkers also came out to celebrate his actions.
"Part of that could be some training but I will say you have to be pretty quick on your feet especially when you have someone's life in your hand and things change real fast," he said.