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SALT LAKE CITY — For the month of August, firefighters have been recognized from across the state for their heroic actions. This week's hero was nominated by his 13-year-old daughter.
Davin Halvorsen has been in the fire service for 17 years, starting in 1995. He is currently a firefighter for Salt Lake City's station number seven. It's an active station, having responded to nearly 2,000 calls already this year.
"I just think it's so cool that he goes to work every day and saves people's lives," said his daughter, Madeson Halvorsen.
Halvorsen has definitely been involved in heroic efforts over the past 17 years. Along with fire fighting, he is also a member of the Draper City S.W.A.T. Team, he is on a swim and dive rescue unit, has been an arson investigator, and even responded to help the citizens of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Halvorsen seems to be a renaissance man of all things that help others, but when talking about saving lives, he insists it's his colleagues that continue to inspire him.
"When you get the opportunity to work with your crew and literally save a life, it's phenomenal," he said. "It's absolutely amazing."
When you get the opportunity to work with your crew and literally save a life, it's phenomenal. It's absolutely amazing.
–Davin Halvorsen
It seems that public service is in Halvorsen's blood. He is a third generation firefighter in Utah. Having watched his father and grandfather serve valiantly, he knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps before he graduated high school. It's easy to see why he's Madesen's hero.
"He always puts us first," she said. "And he's always calling to check in on us, and seeing if there's anything we can do. He's just amazing."
