Congrats!: Carlow firefighter awarded Outstanding Bravery Award after saving a life
A firefighter from Carlow has received a National Bravery Award for saving someone’s ife earlier this year
A Carlow-based firefighter has received an Outstanding Bravery Award after saving someone’s life earlier this year.
D/M Paul Gardiner from Bagenalstown was presented with the Water Safety Ireland National Outstanding Bravery Award at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Paul attended the ceremony with his wife and the Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service A/CFO.
He was recognised for the rescue of a person who had entered the River Barrow in Bagenalstown in the early hours of February 20th, 2026.
The river was elevated due to heavy rainfall in January and February of this year, leading to fast-flowing and hazardous conditions in the dark of night.
Paul, along with his colleagues at Bagenalstown Fire Station, used their Swiftwater Rescue Technician training and equipment to carry out a tethered swim rescue, bringing the person safely back to the bank.
“Paul's actions on the night of 20th February exemplified the very highest standards of courage, professionalism and public service of our firefighters. Faced with dangerous flood conditions and a person whose life was in immediate danger, he used his specialist training and experience to carry out a rescue that ultimately saved a life,” A/CFO Ben Woodhouse said.
“We decided in 2022 to invest in further swiftwater training up to technician level and equipment across our stations which significantly increased our operational readiness and was instrumental in the successful outcome of the incident,” he added.
The Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service offered their congratulations to Paul, and commended the “whole team who deployed that night from Bagenalstown.”