Fresno Fire promotional ceremony honored 3 firefighters their courageous efforts

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three firefighters are getting special recognition for their heroism at this year's Fresno Firefighter Promotional Ceremony.

Fire Captain Reginald Zellous, Firefighter Specialists Randy Dennis and Darian Jackson received medals of bravery for their life-saving efforts. But their biggest reward can be found sitting in the audience.

"It's a great honor to be here and just to give those guys the recognition that they deserve, because they saved my life and I couldn't be more thankful to them," said Tanner Bean, CHP Officer.

Nearly four months ago after responding to an accident on Highway 180, CHP officer Tanner Bean was involved in one of his own. A red pick-up truck turned in front of him sending him and his motorcycle over the median barrier.

On the way back to the firehouse from a Southeast Fresno incident, the firefighters witnessed what could have been a fatal accident.

"I saw a motorcycle in the air flipping, on fire, and I also saw a person flipping beside it," said Zellous.

"We ran across the freeway and my first thing was just to get to him and help him," said Dennis.

Had it not been for the Southeast Fresno fire call the closest rig would have been two to four miles away.

"It was a really loud traumatic accident. We really thought he probably wasn't going to make it," said Jackson.

Officer Bean sustained life-threatening injuries that day, but thanks to those firefighters he lives to tell the story.

"Getting to see my kids every day and getting them to school, it makes you appreciate the little small things that you may have missed out on."

The road to recovery is a slow one but Officer Bean said he's taking it one day at a time.