Steve Allen, Patrick County’s Emergency Services coordinator, was among those honored by Surry County, N.C. officials.

Allen was among several EMS personnel honored for saving five lives in the field, The Mount Airy News reported.

In addition to his work in Patrick County, Allen volunteers locally and also works part-time in Surry County, his daughter, Stephanie Allen said.

Stephanie Allen, said her dad has had a passion “for all things fire and rescue” for as long as she can remember.

“I can remember him working all day and then taking classes at night so that he could be trained and certified for anything that may happen. He has always wanted to help people in every way possible,” she said.

“When I was younger, I never fully understood how deep his passion was. I never understood why he was always running from one place to the next,” Stephanie Allen said.

But, she noted her father “always made it to every piano recital, award ceremony, sports game, and every other school event my sister and I ever had. He took us camping, roller skating, bike riding, and to any other activity we wanted to do.”

Steve Allen “has been there for so many people …  to lend a helping hand, even when he was not wanted,” Stephanie Allen wrote. “No matter who you are, he has been there in the time of need.”

Steve Allen also is a hero, but “not just because he received a life saving award,” Stephanie Allen wrote.