ZACHARY, La. (BRPROUD) – A firefighter with the Zachary Fire Department was recognized for lifesaving actions during a Zachary City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 28. Capt. Camron Thompson received a certificate and a standing ovation after the council heard how the firefighter saved a 4-year-old girl from drowning.

Thompson is a full-time firefighter who was off-duty on Wednesday, March 22. He works part-time for a pool company and was handling equipment at a home on Yardley Drive in Slaughter. When he arrived at the home, he saw a boy and girl playing outside.

Thompson said the boy lost his shoe in the deep end of the pool. The young girl went into the pool to retrieve it. When he was heading to his truck to get some tools, he noticed the girl was in distress.

“She was struggling to keep her head above water and I was able to grab her hand and pull her out of the water,” Thompson said.

He made sure she was breathing alright and carried her to the back door, where told the family. Thompson said this was a case of “right time, right place” as the parents were inside the house when this happened.

“When a firefighter becomes a firefighter, they’re always on duty as a firefighter,” said Zachary Fire Chief Danny Kimble.

Thompson has been with the Zachary Fire Department since 2015. This is not the first time that he has been recognized for his actions. The firefighter received four medical life save awards in 2017, according to the Zachary Fire Department.

When asked what it meant to be honored for his actions, Thompson said, “It was an honor to receive recognition from the city.”