San Francisco Fire Commission recognizes three firefighters for rescues and community service

The San Francisco Fire Commission recognized three members of the San Francisco Fire Department at its Sept. 26, 2018 meeting for lifesaving actions and long‑term community service.

Chief Joanne Hayes White described Firefighter Duane Eckert’s years of sustained work in school fire‑safety education and said his presentations reach thousands of students annually. Eckert was acknowledged by the American Legion Department of California for statewide community service.

The commission also honored Firefighter Paramedic Matt Lane and Firefighter Steven Keller for their actions during a structure fire on Sept. 20, 2017. The chief read the incident narrative: engine crews entered a heavily involved two‑story residence, a teenager told crews that his parents remained inside, and Lane and Keller conducted a search. Lane carried a conscious woman to safety, returned to find and drag an unconscious man to the hoseline where crews assisted with removal and medical care; both victims survived.

Paramedic Lane, who has nursing training in addition to his paramedic duties, emphasized the team nature of the rescue. “Everybody in this room or everybody that's passed through a fire station wants to be in the spot that Steve and I were,” he said, adding the system of engine and ambulance push and paramedic care en route were critical to the patients’ survival.

Commissioners commended the three men, noting both the on‑scene courage and Eckert’s long record of community service teaching fire safety in schools. The commission plans to celebrate the awardees at an American Legion dinner and share more details with the full commission as requested.

No disciplinary or policy actions were taken at the meeting; the recognition was ceremonial and recorded on the commission’s minutes.