Reserve Firefighter GABRIEL MEDRANO of the Tolleson (AZ) Fire Department was named United

Reserve Firefighter GABRIEL MEDRANO of the Tolleson (AZ) Fire Department was named United Firefighter of the Year for rescuing a mother and her two daughters. Their car ended up in a canal after an accident with another vehicle. Medrano was driving home after drills at the fire department when he came upon the scene. Using bystanders` belts, he improvised a lifeline and rescued the two girls, ages 9 and 11, and then their mother, 61. Medrano received $3,000 in prizes and $1,000 in cash. His department received a $500 credit toward future purchases with United Fire, a fire equipment supplier.