Idaho Falls firefighters given Idaho Medal of Honor for saving people in submerged vehicle
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Fire Department.
Idaho Falls Fire Department Senior Firefighters Travis Adams and Jeremy F. Newman were presented the Idaho Medal of Honor Tuesday in Boise, recognizing their extraordinary courage and lifesaving actions during a vehicle crash in Bingham County last year.
Adams and Newman were among nine first responders from across Idaho honored at the 2026 Idaho Medal of Honor Ceremony at the Idaho State Capitol. The Idaho Medal of Honor is the state’s highest honor for first responders who demonstrate exceptional valor above and beyond the call of duty.
On Oct. 5, 2025, Adams and Newman were off-duty when they received a PulsePoint notification about a two-vehicle collision on a rural Bingham County roadway. One vehicle had left the roadway and become partially submerged in a canal, trapping all four occupants inside.
Recognizing the seriousness of the incident and its location, Adams and Newman immediately responded in their personal vehicles, arriving before on-duty emergency resources.
Despite the hazards of moving water, cold temperatures and an unstable, partially submerged vehicle, the two firefighters entered the frigid canal and climbed into the vehicle to begin the rescue. They removed the occupants one at a time and carried them through the canal to safety, where they could receive medical care.
“The courage and selflessness Travis and Jeremy demonstrated that day are truly extraordinary,” said Fire Chief Johan Olson. “They saw people in danger and acted without hesitation, putting their own safety aside to save four lives. We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for the example they set.”
The 2026 Idaho Medal of Honor Ceremony included individual presentations and citations detailing each recipient’s heroic actions, an honor guard presentation and remarks from Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador.
The Idaho Falls Fire Department and the City of Idaho Falls congratulate Senior Firefighters Adams and Newman on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their continued commitment to protecting the lives of others.