WEST JORDAN — First responders were honored Wednesday for their life-saving service to the community, causing many of them, their families and those they rescued to shed a few tears.

"You're always there, you're always available. People depend on you. You save lives, you make a difference in people's lives," said Marc Babitz, director of the Division of Family Health and Preparedness to the room at the Viridian Center filled with first responders.

'Baby Lily' rescuers honored

The Outstanding Performance Rural Emergency Medical Incident Award was given to Spanish Fork responders because of their ability to quickly rescue Lily Groesbeck, nationally known as "Utah's miracle baby," back in March.

Lily survived nearly 14 hours hanging upside down in her car seat above the frigid river waters before being rescued by first responders. Today, Lily is a happy, healthy toddler.

"I remember almost all of it from end to end. Everything happened so fast, it really is a pretty short story, " said Spanish Fork firefighter Paul Tomadakis, who was able to detach Lily from her car seat after responders flipped the submerged car on its wheels.

The story and body camera footage went viral, causing many to debate the attribution over the distinct "mysterious voice" the rescuers heard calling for help. Lily's family members are confident that it came from her mother's love, while others looks for different explanations.

Stuart Johnson/KSL-TV

"We still look back at the situation, we still talk about it. We cry about. I mean, it's a memory you'll never forget," said first responder Mark Byers, who drove the ambulance to the hospital. "It takes a while to get over some of the things but we do it so often. Kids are always some of the toughest calls, but we enjoy doing it."

The first responders involved with the "Baby Lily" rescue were able to meet Lily and plan to keep in contact with her family, according to police officer Tyler Beddees.

The Utah Department of Health honored their efforts not only because of the crew's ability to save Lily, but also for the first responders' professional demeanor during the event.

Emergency workers honored for saving girl's life

The Outstanding Performance Urban Emergency Medical Incident Award was given to members of the Roy Fire Department, the Weber Fire District, the Weber County Sheriff's Office and Davis Hospital and Medical Center Weber Campus.

This group of responders were able to save the life of Brynnli Cherry, 11, from South Ogden, after she was ejected from the SUV when a drunk driver evaded a stop-sign and struck the SUV.

"This is one of those (emergency) calls where, quite literally, seconds mattered," said Babitz. "This beautiful young lady has made everyone realize how important the (emergency medical services) system truly is and the amazing things that can happen when we work together as a team for a miraculous outcome."

When first responders arrived, they found that Brynnli was having a difficult time breathing because of her broken facial features — displaced eyes, a broken lower jaw, a split pallet, and an ear torn off.

"It was impossible to provide any basic life respiratory support due to the amount of facial trauma," Babitz said, explaining that the paramedics' decision to perform a surgical crichothyrotomy — when paramedics make an incision into the failed airway near the throat to increase breathability — in the ambulance on the way to the hospital — saved Brynnli's life.

Although Brynnli is still on the long road to recovery, members of her family attended the ceremony and accepted a gift from the first responders on her behalf.

Other honorees

Other Outstanding Individual Performance Awards given include: Emergency Physician of the Year: Dr. Grant J. Rasmussen, Nephi Medical Clinic; Paramedic of the Year: Ryan Kimball, Lehi Fire Department; Emergency Medical Technician of the Year: Marvin Kenison, Levan Ambulance; Dispatcher of the Year: Jennifer Saratan, Salt Lake City Fire Dispatch; Distinguished Service Award: Wayne Edginton, South Jordan fire battalion chief; Distinguished EMSC Coordinator Award: Erik Anderson, West Jordan Fire Department; Mission LifeLine EMS Award: Ron Loomis.

Family members of Billina Asbury, a former medical technician for San Juan County Ambulance, and Box Elder County Sheriff Joseph Lynn Yeates also received plaques in memory of their fallen loved ones at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The awards were given by the Utah Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness.

Contributing: Sam Penrod

Cassidy Hansen is currently studying both Political Science and Communications at Brigham Young University, while working as an intern at the Deseret News. Contact her at chansen@deseretnews.com

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