CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Chicopee Fire Department held an award ceremony honoring firefighters for their service and dedication over the past year.

Among those awards one was given to a firefighter who stepped in to help while he was off-duty.

"Definitely right place, right time. I am glad I was there," said Chicopee Fire Dept. Lt. Phil Sanford. 

On March 11, 2020, Sanford was coming home from the grocery store in the morning when he says he spotted a problem. 

"I saw a pick up truck on the grass smoking. [It] looked like it was an accident, so I decided to pull over and see if he needed assistance," said Sanford. "The driver was unconscious, not breathing, no pulse."

It was reported the man went into cardiac arrest while driving. Sanford, a police officer and a nurse all came to help. They got the man out of the truck and performed CPR. 

"We were able to get a [defibrillator] from the police officer, shocked him once and continued CPR until Station 8 showed up," Sanford said.

The man spent a week in the hospital, but he survived.

Chicopee Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski gave out the award. Stamborski recognized firefighters for their efforts to help others and for years of service with the department. Stamborski says Sanford's quick actions while off-duty were instrumental in saving the man's life.

"It's a good feeling. I mean, it wasn't just me, it was a group of us and I am glad it worked out," said Sanford. "The recognition is nice but any of my other fellow brothers and sisters here would have done the same thing."

In addition to that award, Lt. Sanford also received recognition for 20 years of service with the Chicopee Fire Department. He currently serves at Station 3, but has also spent a number of years at Station 1.